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Lake Forest edges North Shore Country Day in battle of reigning state champions
Lake Forest golfer Ian Mankoff watches his shot from the fairway during a match against North Shore Country Day at Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove on Sept. 6. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: September 6, 2012 11:58PM
LONG GROVE — In a battle of defending boys golf state champions, the big school barely got by its smaller-enrollment counterpart.
Lake Forest, the Class 3A champ in both 2011 and 2010, prevailed 160-163 over North Shore Country Day on Thursday at demanding Twin Orchard Country Club. The Winnetka-based Raiders reigned supreme in Class 1A last fall to notch the private school’s first state title in any sport.
“I wasn’t surprised at all that it was so close,” said Lake Forest head coach Jim Matheson, whose team remained unbeaten in duals. “They have a very strong, experienced team. But the course won today. I think both sides can play better.”
Senior Drew Takacs shot 37 to lead the Scouts. Pepperdine-bound senior Ian Mankoff settled for 41, which was matched by senior Jack Barrie and junior Graham Ganshirt.
Scouts junior Drew Barrett, normally right behind Mankoff, missed the schools’ first-ever dual clash because of illness. Despite significant graduation losses, Lake Forest threatens to three-peat behind another deep core that includes sophomore Jack Garrity.
Overcoming foot blisters, senior Nick McCall paced North Shore Country Day with 38. Senior Andrew Bedford, the Raiders’ leader this season with a 37.8 average, carded a 41. Senior David Blechman and ascendant sophomore Sam Reategui each shot 42. The Raiders boast another talented pair in junior William Skinner and sophomore Andrew Blechman.
“We weren’t far apart, and we’ll see them again in a tournament in two weeks,” North Shore Country Day head coach Joe Bosco said after his team’s first defeat. “We had a number of three-putts. I’ll just talk to our guys about the two most important things: putting and what’s going on between the ears.”
Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper on Sept. 13 to read more about the Lake Forest and North Shore Country Day boys golf teams.
