Boys golf: Providence second in Catholic League
By Logan Malloy For Sun-Times Media September 26, 2012 9:54PM
Owen Blakely, Fenwick High School, hits during the Catholic League golf tourney at Cog Hill in Lemont, IL on Wednesday September 26, 2012. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 29, 2012 6:29AM
While Loyola claimed billing Wednesday as the marquee golf team in the Chicago Catholic League, a trio of Providence sophomores showed they’re not far from headlining on their own.
Mickey Brick, Dom Casino and Will McCabe all placed in the top 10 to propel Providence to a 311 total and runner-up finish in the 11-team field at Cog Hill.
It was the best score of the year for the Celtics, but the defending champions couldn’t top a dominant Loyola squad, which with a 298 earned its second CCL title in three years.
Brick fired a 2-over 74 on Cog Hills’ No. 3 course for third, Casino finished sixth with a 77 and McCabe placed eighth at 78.
Loyola’s Michael Abrahamson (71) beat teammate Michael Hultquist (71) in a one-hole playoff for medalist honors.
“I wanted to win, but third place isn’t bad,” Brick said. “We knew (Loyola) was a pretty good team. We thought we had a chance if we played well, but they got us this year. We’ll see about next year.”
Brick’s round was highlighted by three consecutive birdies to start. He finished with five on the day.
Casino was the surprise of the tournament, playing in only his second varsity match of the season. A hockey player by trade, Casino was forced to give up the sport after suffering his fifth concussion in a scrimmage against St. Laurence just two weeks ago.
“I want to be able to talk when I’m older, so it was an easy decision,” Casino said of his new focus on golf. “I was just trying to follow my routine out there.”
St. Laurence sophomore Jordan Velez (76) tied Casino for sixth.
“This should make (Velez) hungry because he knows he could have played better,” Vikings coach Larry Kluk said. “He had some problems on the greens. He’ll be back working on his short game this week.”
Loyola’s Creighton Helms (75, fourth), Bishop McNamara’s Anthony Gilbert (76, fifth) and Fenwick’s duo of Jack Williams and Brian Boyle (78s each, eighth) rounded out the top 10.
