Boys Golf: Camden Bonney, Oswego East make history once again, capture 1st regional title

BRISTOL – Oswego East’s Camden Bonney’s secret sauce to a most memorable two rounds of golf actually doesn’t sound all that exciting.

He played “boring” golf.

“Not much scrambling. Just keep it in play, consistency, hitting greens and two putts,” Bonney said. “Pretty boring again.”

Pretty historic, too.

Led by Bonney’s 1-over-par 73, good for a three-shot win over fellow Oswego East senior Gavin Hjelle, the Wolves won their first regional title at the Class 3A Oswego Regional at Blackberry Oaks Golf Course in Bristol.

Just like at the Southwest Prairie Conference meet the week before, when the Wolves won their first league title, Oswego East beat out runner-up Plainfield North, 314-325. Those two teams and third-place Plainfield East (342), as well as the top 10 individuals on nonqualifying teams, advanced to next week’s sectional at the Village Links of Glen Ellyn.

Just like at conference, Bonney, like Hjelle, a four-year varsity player, led the way with his second individual title in two weeks.

“It’s phenomenal. It’s great,” Bonney said. “I’ve strung a couple of good rounds together. I’ve been feeling really good as of late.”

Bonney trailed Plainfield North junior Drew Czarnik by three shots as they made the turn in the same group, but never flinched. Bonney started his back nine with five straight pars, easing into the lead, with only three bogeys in his round.

“I didn’t look at the scores,” Bonney said. “I just focused on the game. I don’t know if that’s easy to do for everybody, but I find it kind of easy.”

Bonney doesn’t find it easy to navigate the familiar terrain at Blackberry Oaks, but it was to his liking Wednesday.

“I’m not particularly fond of the course. I never seem to find a way to play good here – but today was fine,” Bonney said. “I just used shorter clubs off the tee, just trying to keep it in play.”

Hjelle posted a 76, Michael Hugelier an 80 and Patrick Malm an 85 for Oswego East. The senior group, like last year, lost only one conference dual, but has taken the next step in the postseason.

“We’ve had a pretty good season, bounce back from last year when we didn’t make it to sectionals as a team and didn’t win conference,” Hjelle said. “All of the guys have been playing pretty good, pretty consistent.”

Yorkville senior Ryan Waugh, part of a sectional-qualifying team last year, shot a 78 for third place and will be joined by teammate Justin Goebel (11th, 84) at sectionals.

Waugh was able to post a sufficient round to advance despite sporting a wrap on a sprained left thumb he injured in a recent practice round.

“I feel OK about it. I was just trying to get through the round,” Waugh said. “[The injury] affected me a little bit but I wouldn’t say it cost me the tournament. Just a little bit of a hindrance. I was just focusing on staying hydrated because it was hot out there, just try not to make any big numbers.”

Czarnik put up a big number in a good way on the front nine, a sizzling 34 with three birdies matching his personal best nine-hole score.

“I was making everything,” he said. “Fairways, making putts, I was kind of going crazy.”

But the course turned on him at the turn, with back-to-back bogeys on the ninth and 10th holes, a double on the 13th and triple on the 15th. Czarnik wound up shooting 79, good for fourth. Teammate Tanner Daugherty tied for fifth with an 80 and James Miscione and Ryan Nelson shot an 83 for the Tigers.

“I just couldn’t putt,” Czarnik said. “I had 20 putts on the back I think. I couldn’t get the speed down. I’ll take the positives from the front and take it into next week.”

Plainfield East was paced by Brady Louck, who shot an 80 to tie for fifth place. The Notre Dame baseball recruit, who helped lead the Bengals’ baseball team to the Class 4A state title in June, sported a Cincinnati Reds baseball cap while leading his school to another historic achievement.

“I did OK, did what I should do,” Louck said. “I think definitely making it to sectionals has always been a goal for us. I don’t think we have done it yet.”

Also advancing to sectionals as individuals were Oswego’s Jack Rimington and Ty Ahrens, Plainfield Central’s Garrett Sigler, Michael Totosz and Jason Rosner, Plainfield South’s Zander Tubbs and Aiden O’Sullivan and Romeoville’s Joey Crowley.