Oct. 18--FORSYTH, Ill. -- Despite being in the final group alongside three of her main competitors, Madasyn Pettersen strode to the final green at Saturday's Class AA girls golf state tournament unaware of exactly where she stood.
What the Rockford Guilford sophomore did know was that letting a more conservative approach replace her usual penchant for aggression would serve her well on an 18th green at Hickory Point Golf Club that is unforgiving from anywhere above the hole.
Her intuition was right, as she calmly two-putted from 15 feet to claim a one-shot victory and a two-round total of even-par 144. Playing partner and two-time defending champion Jessica Yuen made bogey on the hole, and Hinsdale Central junior Jessica Lee also finished one stroke back.
"I just focused on keeping my first putt somewhat near the hole," said Pettersen, who was fourth as a freshman last year. "You don't want to end up losing because you went for it too hard. I've done that before and it really stinks."
Despite having her bid foiled to become the event's first three-time champion, Yuen, a Neuqua Valley senior, held her head high.
"I knew that last putt for par was the most important shot I would take and unfortunately, it didn't go in," she said. "I'm not necessarily disappointed, but I do wish things went differently. But I am happy with my round and how I played, and how my entire career went."
While Yuen's three-peat bid came up short, Hinsdale Central cashed in its chance at a repeat team title. The Red Devils started Saturday seven strokes ahead of Loyola and nine in front of Wheaton South. Steady play throughout their rotation saw the eventual cushion grow to 18 strokes over the Ramblers on a day that began with a deep morning chill and ended amid blustery afternoon conditions.
"This feels great because there was some pretty stiff competition," Lee said . "Having the lead gave us some wiggle room and it took away some of the stress."
The Red Devils, who totaled 41 over par, placed three individuals in the top ten. Besides Lee, junior Selina Zeng tied for sixth at 9-over 153, and sophomore Roshannah Gaur tied for ninth at 10-over 154.
Loyola's third straight runner-up finish was five strokes better than South, while St. Charles North was fourth.
New Trier, which finished fifth, was the only other team to place two golfers in the top ten, with freshman Penelope Tir tying for sixth and senior Louise McCulloch tying for ninth.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Top teams
617 (+41): Hinsdale Central
635 (+59): New Trier
640 (+64): Wheaton South
Top individuals
144 (E): Madasyn Pettersen, Guilford so.
145 (+1): Jessica Yuen, Neuqua Valley sr.
145 (+1): Jessica Lee, Hinsdale Central jr.
146 (+2): Lauren Beaudreau, Benet fr.
