High school girls golf: CLC co-op's Molly Lyne ties for 15th at state; Kat Bevill ties for 46th

FORSYTH – Expectations often color the acceptance of the result in golf, a game that plays with the mind.

Such was the case Saturday in the IHSA Class 2A girls state tournament at Hickory Point Golf Club, where Crystal Lake Central senior Kat Bevill was more pleased with just getting to the second day than junior Molly Lyne, a Cary-Grove student who plays on the Central co-op team, was with finishing tied for 15th.

Or so it seemed.

This is the first year the IHSA has cut the field after 18 holes, a controversial move that few coaches approve of. A third of the field went home before the weekend. But Bevill and Lyne made it.

“It was rough [Saturday], but my goal was to get to the second day, and I accomplished it,” Bevill said. “And I had fun today. I think I had a little bit more motivation and definitely more focus (Friday), because I wanted to make it, even with the horrible conditions.”

Bevill added an 86 to her opening 78 and finished at 20-over 164, tied for 46th. Amazingly, she played much better in the wind, cold and snow Friday, the most bitter conditions anyone could remember without play being stopped, than Saturday, which opened with a chilly overcast and concluded under sunny skies.

Lyne was tied for 14th Friday, thanks to a 5-over 77 that included three birdies and a double bogey. She was a stroke better in the second round and finished at 9-over 153.

“I loved the conditions compared to yesterday, but I missed a couple of short putts that cost me and kinda came back,” Lyne said. “It evened out. I didn’t putt as well as I wanted to putt. That’s what cost me. But I’ll take a lot from it. I think it was my best high school season but my worst state finish. The field is real competitive. Just a couple shots and I’m in the top 10.

“You can’t really be mad at yourself for that.”

Lyne tied for 12th last year and was solo third as a freshman in 2016.

“I’m thrilled for [Bevill],” Lyne added. “For her to shoot 78 the first day meant a lot to her. I think she was really nervous.”

Central co-op coach Kyle McCaughn, crediting Lyne for “grinding through” the two rounds, said of Bevill’s day, “Who knows what was off today? It’s that close to being a perfect day on a drive or a chip or a putt. I don’t think it was a letdown. Some days, the golf gods aren’t with you.

“Where she’s come over four years and how she’s playing is just a tribute to her as a person and a golfer. A state trip is awesome.”

By Monday, she should be even more thrilled by her accomplishment.

“It’s unfortunate the way things played out today, but I’m happy for Molly and extremely grateful and blessed to be here and have this the opportunity,” Bevill said.

The highlight of her day was a birdie 4 on the par-5 second hole.

Benet’s Lauren Beaudreau won with a 4-under 140 total, one stroke ahead of Lincoln-Way Central’s Brianne Bolden.

St. Charles North won the team title at 34 over, eight strokes better than Barrington.