Trevians begin title defense with resounding regional win; LA and NSCD also move on, as do 2 HPHS golfers

The defending state champions acted like it at during regional play at Wilmette Golf Club Wednesday, Sept. 27.

New Trier dominated the field en route to a first-place finish, topping runnerup Evanston by 15 strokes and third-place Loyola Academy by 19, in the IHSA Class 3A Loyola Regional Wednesday, Sept. 27, at Wilmette Golf Club.

Trevians were regulars on the leaderboard. Sophomore Logan Keeter was the tournament champion, carding a one-under-par 69. He edged senior teammate Noah Zyung and his even-par 70. Three other Trevs finished in the top 11: Senior Johnny Creamean (75) tied for fifth, senior Oliver Barr (77) tied for eighth and senior Connor Gray (78) tied for 10th.

“We try to peak at the end of September and October, because that is our goal to finish strong for the state tournament,” New Trier coach Pete Drevline said. “We look forward to the end of the year and heading into regionals. That’s when we play our best golf.”

New Trier returned three of six golfers, including state champ Creamean, from its state-winning lineup in 2022 and have dominated much of the season.

The talent on the Trevians roster is undeniable but in a sport as unforgiving as golf, it can be difficult to remain consistent, even with a talent-packed lineup. Drevline said his golfers’ mental fortitude supports their physical aptitude.

“The key to this squad is chemistry,” he said. “We know we’re pretty good golfers. We’re defending a state championship so there’s going to be a target on our back. It’s just really coming out here and staying focused for 18 holes and today they did that. The results speak for themselves.”

He added, “The groundwork has been laid by our previous teams and all the players who have come through and set the bar high. … We have a high standard at New Trier, and it’s a credit to these guys and all the time and effort they put into playing golf. Their goal is to be a state champion.”

With the regional championship in tow, New Trier advances as a team to the IHSA Class 3A Prospect Sectional on Monday, Oct. 2, at Mt. Prospect Golf Club. Evanston and Loyola will join them.

Seamus Purcell led the Ramblers with a two-over 74, good enough for a tie for third place with Evanston’s Kieran Low. Fellow Ramblers Ben Rieske and Drew Southwell tied for 11th with their 78s, and Gavin Smith shot an 80 to tie for 18th.

In another 3A regional, Highland Park seniors Danny Klein and Kalin Patel shot matching 81s to place 17th and advance to the sectional competition. The Giants placed seventh as a team, while Lake Forest (regional champ), Libertyville and Vernon Hills topped the field to move on to the sectional.

In IHSA Class 1A, North Shore Country Day (318 strokes) came out on top in the Elgin Regional Sept. 27 at The Golf Club of Illinois, winning the tournament by seven strokes over Northridge and Harvest Christian Academy.

Raiders senior Max Greenberg Winnick placed third overall with a three-over 74, while junior Jonathan Wiggins and sophomore Tucker Sichol tied for 11th, both shooting 80.

NSCD moves on to the McNamara Sectional on Monday, Oct. 2, at Kankakee Elks Country Club.