One of Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Nadia Vattana’s goals this season was to secure a top 25 showing in the IHSA Class 2A girls golf state finals, held at Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur, Oct. 9-10.
She accomplished her goal by shooting a two-day total of 151 strokes (+7 over par), which was good enough to secure a tie for 21st, her best showing in her three trips to state.
“There were definitely some ups and downs,” Vattana said, “but it was my best score for 36 holes. I’d never played that well in a 36-hole event. I’m happy with how I placed; I wanted to get top 10 (which would have meant All-State honors), but I’m happy with how I finished.”
In Friday’s first round, she shot a 2-over 74, including three birdies, to tie for 16th and advance to Saturday.
Saturday began rough for Vattana, who started on the back nine both days. She bogeyed 12 and double-bogeyed 16, then after making the turn, she had bogeys on holes one and three. But she steadied herself and made par on each of her final six holes.
“I thought she played really smart and tough golf,” said OPRF coach Matt McMurray. “She didn’t have her best stuff over the weekend but she played through it like a veteran. She’s got tons of experience down there, knows that course very well, and I thought she played excellent golf. It was a very gritty performance.”
The state tournament was a satisfying conclusion to Vattana’s four-year varsity career at OPRF.
“I had fun every single year,” said Vattana, who will play collegiately at Denison University. “I was definitely sad as (Saturday’s) round was coming to an end, thinking about the past four years on varsity and how I’ve had different teams every year and how I’ve made so many friendships with some of these girls. Everything coming to an end made me appreciate every year I’ve had on the golf team.”
McMurray says her presence will be missed.
“She’s been the best player on the team and I always tell her she’s probably the best female golfer in school history,” he said. “She’s been an anchor for us and she’ll be sorely missed. It’s been quite a ride watching her develop over the last four years.”
He adds that her steadiness and determination will have a lasting influence on the Huskies’ returning golfers, including junior Maeve Gibbs.
“I’ve got Maeve coming next year, hopefully following in her footsteps and trying to reach that level,” he said. “Nadia has shown it’s possible. Coaching her has been my honor.”
Fenwick
Fenwick High School senior Mairin Sweeney, competing in her fourth consecutive state finals, was hoping to attain her best-ever showing and possibly place in the top 25.
However, a triple-bogey on her first hole, the 10th, set the tone on Friday. She bogeyed holes 11, 12, and 14, and double-bogeyed 13 and 15, to put her in a difficult position to rally from, especially given that she was battling the flu.
“Unfortunately, she didn’t play any of the practice rounds. And she got IV fluids the morning of the Friday round,” said Fenwick coach Mike Trankina.
Sweeney steadied herself and got pars on the next five holes. She still had an opportunity to advance to Saturday’s final with a par on the final hole, the ninth, but her approach shot went into the bunker and ultimately resulted in a double bogey that sealed her fate.
Sweeney shot an 87, 15-over par, to miss the cut at state for the first time. Even so, Trankina was proud of Sweeney’s effort given the circumstances.
“I told her it was truly the most impressive of her rounds downstate,” he said. “She dug in and played some inspiring golf.”