Boys Golf: L-W East Nabs Second Place in Conference Tournament

After a night of rain and a morning with spotty drizzle, the weather cleared into a cool day that left the Inwood Golf Course  in Joliet soggy, but playable for the Southwest Suburban Conference  Blue boys golf tournament.

While it was the Joliet Central Steelmen  who took first place with a team total of 302 at the tournament on their home course, the  were only two strokes behind, taking second place with a 304 total.

Sandburg placed third at 308.

“If you would've told us before coming in we would've shot a 304, I would've taken it,” East coach Ryan Pohlmann said. “Joliet is honestly a legitimate threat this year to do some damage down the stretch in the playoffs, and they took advantage of the course being their home course and really did what they needed to do.”

The two Griffins who led the charge for East were sophomore Matt Contey, who shot a 71 for medalist honors, and Matt Stoner, who finished one stroke behind Contey with a 72. Stoner tied for second place.

Contey, who struggled previously on the second hole at Inwood, said that knocking out a par on the tricky hole helped put him in the right frame of mind for the rest of his round, although he didn't think he was going to take first.

“This feels pretty good," Contey said. "I didn't really expect to earn (medalist honors). I just of went out and played. It was a very good way to start the day. I made a double-bogey on that (second hole) the last time, so it was a good jump-start to get par there.”

As for Stoner's take on his second-place finish, he said it was just another step toward his goal of returning to the IHSA state finals.

“The goal for me is to make state again,” Stoner said. “I'm just really excited to get out there and see how I can place. “

The Griffins will play in the IHSA regional tournament at Heritage Bluffs Golf Course in Channahon  on Oct. 4, where they have yet to play this year.

“We play one practice round (at Heritage Bluffs) and then, hopefully, we make it back here (to Inwood), because this is were the sectional is,” Pohlmann said.

Sandburg's Jake Stefan shot 73 and tied for third. Teammate Mike Misheck shot 76 and tied for fourth.