Boys varsity golf capped off the senior night in a dramatic fashion, posting a 160-160 tie, and winning the tiebreaker by a single stroke. Junior Taig Bhathals’ par on the final hole concluded the closely contested match.
Coach Collin Kalamatas stood with pride, clearing his throat to deliver a speech recognizing the seven seniors on the team, as they all eagerly awaited their turn to tee off.
“These guys have all grown, each of them has grown in our program individually, in different ways,” Kalamatas said.
Before each senior stepped up to tee off their first shot, Kalamatas shared each student’s future plans and fondest memories of playing Huntley golf. The crowd of parents and friends was ready and the pressure was palpable.
First up to the tee box, seniors Nathan Elm and Sam Lacascio prepared for their first shot of the evening.
“The first tee shot, having everybody watching you is terrifying, seeing a lot of people mess up on the first hole is scary [but], outside of the first tee shot, there wasn’t too much pressure,” Elm said.
Elm started off strong making par on the first hole, while Locascio made a birdie on the second hole, and senior Nooa Hakala made a birdie on hole three.
Elm finished strong making par and a birdie on the last two holes, finishing off the match with a score of 39. Hakala led the Raiders with a score of 37, one over par. Senior Brandon Boroski finished with a score of 42, making par on holes five and six. Bhathal, who finished the match with a score of 42, sank a two-putt for par on the ninth hole, which would end up being the match-tying putt.
Lacasitos’ score of 43 would be enough to edge Huntley to win the tiebreaker by one stroke. After the match, everyone gathered in the clubhouse to celebrate their senior night victory.
Although the seniors’ season is coming to an end, their legacy will continue on.
”The seniors helped elevate everyones’ game, and make it an enjoyable season,” junior Austin Mullen said.
