It was an unusually warm October afternoon at Hilldale golf club in Hoffman Estates, and junior Ryan Craig had just made the biggest shot of his golf career.

But if he wanted to win this IHSA 3A golf sectional and advance to his first-ever state finals appearance, he would have to do it again.

What had been a great day and large lead now became a make-it-or-break-it situation for Craig. After skidding through the last three holes on the course, he found himself in a playoff between himself and two other golfers.

Three would play, but only two would get spots in the state tournament.

Craig and one of the other golfers bogeyed on the first playoff hole, while Mt. Prospect’s Josh Johnson parred, securing one of the spots in the state tournament.

The other golfer played the second hole first, and birdied. Craig, watching nearby, knew that this meant sudden-death for him.

Stepping up, Craig supressed his emotions and managed to replicate the other golfer’s performance, clutching a birdie  and forcing the match to a third playoff hole.

Again the other golfer went first, and on an 8-foot putt, he parred the hole.

Now it was Craig’s turn.

At the end of the hole, Craig found himself in the exact same position that he had on the previous hole: make the shot and survive, miss the shot and go home crushed.

A simple ten foot putt was all he needed.

Stepping up, with tension running high, Craig swung his putter and watched with wide eyes.

The ball, with his dreams of state riding on it, rolled forward.

It went left and missed the hole.

Stunned, saddened, and in disbelief, Craig quickly embraced the golfer who had just defeated him.

That golfer was his younger brother, Trent.

And Trent was only a freshman.