Tee-K Kelly Returns To Lead The Tigers

Wheaton Warrenville South senior Tee-K Kelly has had quite an eventful 10 days.

It started out with a three-day stint from Sept. 2 through 5 playing in the AJGA Junior Players Championship at the prestigious Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

He followed that up Monday by committing to play for Ohio State next year. Saturday, he was back leading his Wheaton South teammates at the Batavia Invitational at Fox Valley Golf Course in North Aurora.

He tied two others for the low score in the field, shooting an even par 72 (though he wound up second behind Dan Wojtak of Oak Park-River Forest for medalist honors based on a scorecard playoff). That helped the Tigers place third in the 30-team field with a 305.

“It was kind of difficult,” Kelly said of adjusting to a course that is about 5,400 yards after spending three days on a course that plays over 7.400 yards. “You have to hit different shots. It’s kind of a mental challenge going from one of the hardest courses I’ve ever played to a course that almost seems too easy. It kind of mentally psyches you out.”

It showed early, as Kelly was four-over par through his first seven holes. But he settled in nicely, going on a run of four birdies in five holes (12, 14, 15 and 16) to bring him back to even par for the day.

“I started the day pretty rough,” Kelly said. “After that, I kind of took a different mental approach and birdied four of the next five holes. It was an up-and-down day.”

Colin McCaffrey (78), Kelly’s freshman brother Will (79) and Christian Westergaard (80) rounded out the scoring for the Tigers.

“This is a good score for us, a solid score,” WWS coach James Selleck said. “I’m really pleased with the way we played today. It’s good to see some guys step up. Today was a good test. We see a lot of solid teams here, so it’s good to be able to come in and compete in this atmosphere here.”

Lyons was the tournament champion, shooting a 302. Host Batavia also shot a 302, but lost the fifth-scorecard playoff for the title. Oak Park-River Forest matched the Tigers’ 305 and Naperville North was fifth with a 307. Matt Milauskas of Batavia was the other golfer to shoot even par at the event.

Wheaton North found itself right in the middle of the pack with its 319, good for 15th place overall. The team’s ace, Sam Otto, led the way with a 76. Justin Harrington added a 77, Michael Suazo fired an 80 and Jon Shadid rounded out the Falcons’ scoring with an 86 from the No. 5 slot in the lineup.