Down the wire: How did Springfield-area golfers fare at the state finals?

Posted by Admin October 19, 2024 Golf

Bill Welt

Springfield State Journal- Register

DECATUR — Sacred Heart-Griffin senior golfer Izzy Hassebrock couldn’t be too disappointed.

The defending Class 1A state champion matched the same score as last year and tied for second place with Pleasant Plains senior Alaina Ervin at Red Tail Run Golf Course on Saturday.

Hassebrock and Ervin entered the final round first and second place, respectively, and finished behind none other than Mount Carmel’s Zeme Moore, who was state runner-up last year. Hassebrock and Ervin delivered 3-over 147 totals, while Moore won even-par after a torrid final round of 3-under.

Sophomore teammate Maddy Johnston placed 17th individually and the Cyclones achieved second place as a team for a second straight season. Junior Natalie Zak followed in 29th while senior Macie Petropoulos rounded out the team score in 38th. SHG earlier claimed its second consecutive regional and sectional team titles as well.

“I’m definitely proud of all the work I’ve put in this year and last year,” Hassebrock said. “It’s not the result that I wanted, but again, I played the same as last year, so there’s not much else I could’ve really done except make some putts today. That would’ve been nice.”

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During the regular season, Hassebrock not only captured the Central State Eight Conference individual championship 1-under 71 at Lincoln Greens Golf Course but also spurred the team to first place.

Hassebrock said she will remember all the laughs and fun times the most.

“We practiced really hard every day,” Hassebrock said. “We had great coaches who led us here. Everyone worked really hard, especially in the postseason. Everyone just knows what they need to work on and how to practice in order to improve.”

Hassebrock will keep her golf career alive in college, but she still has the basketball season to look forward to this winter. As for this past golf season, she harbored a positive mindset not just to be a role model for her younger teammates but also to cope with loftier expectations after becoming the first female state champion from the city since Springfield High’s Tracy Tate in 1981.

She persevered and was embraced by her teammates on the 18th green.

“I’m proud of us for doing it two years in a row,” Hassebrock said of the team’s banner season. “I think that’s very special. It’s my senior year and I know it’s a couple other girls’ senior year, so it definitely means a lot to us this year.”

Ervin takes another step forward

Pleasant Plains’ Alaina Ervin quit competitive softball in order to pursue golf.

“I think it’s the best decision that I’ve ever made,” Ervin reflected after reaching second place alongside Hassebrock at the Class 1A state finals.

The four-time individual Sangamo Conference champion said she squarely focused on each shot throughout the tournament and added she made her biggest strides mentally this year. Ervin said she perhaps didn’t finish the way that she wanted to but was proud of her overall performance — perhaps not unlike Hassebrock.

She previously took seventh place with a 9-over total at last year’s 1A finals.

“I think my biggest thing is that I wanted to stay in the moment,” Ervin said. “That was the biggest goal. I felt confident and I was excited to get some good competition out here.”

Ervin fully intends to resume golf after high school.

“I’m very happy about it,” Ervin said of her high school career. “I don’t even know what else to say about it, I’ve had so much support over the past couple years and especially this year. It’s surreal.”

Other top performers

Sam Schwab, Litchfield: The junior finished 12-over 156 to end in a tie for 21st place in the Class 1A boys state finals at Prairie Vista Golf Course. He shot 4-over in the final round.

Reed Fretueg, Rushville-Industry: The senior shot 15-over and tied for 30th place in the 1A boys state finals.

Anderson Thielen, Pleasant Plains: The senior tied for 50th place in the 1A boys state finals. He shot 22-over.

A.J. Charpentier, Jacksonville: The junior shot 17-over and led the area by tying for 44th place in the 2A boys state finals at Weibring Golf Club. Junior teammate Elias Martin tied for 50th place.

Derek Dulceak, Chatham Glenwood: The senior tied for 76th place for the area’s top finish in the 3A boys state finals at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course. He shot 23-over.