FORSYTH, Ill. — Lincoln-Way Central junior Brianne Bolden’s played in countless high-pressure amateur golf tournaments over the years, but nothing quite compares to the stress of the Class 2A state finals.
“I get so pumped up with adrenaline,” Bolden said. “I have to go down a club otherwise I’ll overhit it and fly the green.
“It’s a tough field, but this is what I’m used to. This is a comfortable spot for me.”
Bolden sure seems to be getting cozy on the state podium.
After placing in a tie for 10th last season, the Missouri recruit fired a 2-under 70 Saturday to finish as the state runner-up, one stroke behind New Trier’s Penelope Tir (73-71).
Bolden surged up the standings on her second-to-last hole, a par-4 17th. There, she buried an 80-yard shot for an eagle.
“After holing the eagle, I was a little nervous hitting into the crowd on 18, but I love that adrenaline,” Bolden said.
It was another exciting year for Lincoln-Way Central.
While Bolden recorded her best finish in her third trip to the state finals, her teammate and best friend, defending state champion Grace Curran (74-73), placed fifth in the loaded field that included seven of the top-11 finishers from last season.
Curran, a Minnesota recruit, said she felt some pressure as the tournament’s reigning champion, but insisted she wasn’t too focused on the scoreboard.
After all, she doesn’t have much to prove. She has a college scholarship and last season’s state title in hand, and now a trip to the finals with her team, which was the first for the program since 1976.
“To make it down as a team was amazing,” Curran said. “I’m so proud of everyone. We had a rough Friday but we really came back with a solid score of 307 (on Saturday).”
Lincoln-Way Central (630) finished sixth after trimming 23 strokes off its Day 1 total.
Tir led New Trier (603) to the team state title as well. Barrington (613) and Hinsdale Central (619) also reached the state podium.
Taylor Miron, the lone senior in Lincoln-Way Central’s lineup, carded a two-day total of 159 to place 45th. Sophomore Maddie Pyle also contributed scores with a 179.
The Knights topped Hinsdale Central in the Waubonsie Valley Sectional, but couldn’t overcome Friday’s slow start in their quest for a state trophy.
“It’s so exciting we have a chance to come back next year,” Curran said. “We’re definitely super pumped for another shot.”
Sandburg junior Hannah Kilbane is another Southland golfer already looking forward to next season.
Kilbane wasn’t far from earning all-state honors. The junior finished in a tie for 12th after carding rounds of 74 and 76, just one stroke from the top 10.
“This is the best finish that I’ve had in the three years I’ve been down here,” Kilbane said. “But the good news is I have another year. I’m glad for that.”
Sandburg freshman Athena Kwon had a nice introduction to the state finals, finishing 29th with rounds of 76 and 78.
Providence junior Ellie Bilotta placed 65th.
Logan Malloy is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
