Junior wins championship in two-hole playoff in Decatur.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
It’s a clean sweep for IC Catholic Prep junior girls golf star Maddie Hurt.
Hurt completed an undefeated postseason run by winning the Class 1A girls golf state championship in dramatic fashion at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur.
Hurt won the state title after a two-hole playoff. Hurt and Rochester senior Morgan Savage (who finished second in the state as a junior and third as a sophomore) both tied with two-day totals of 152 after regulation.
Hurt, IC Catholic Prep’s first individual state champion in golf, also won regional and sectional championships prior to the state finals. She finished tied for 16th in the state as a sophomore with a 164 and tied for 38th as a freshman (174).
“I was in shock that I won a state title,” said Hurt. “It’s a big accomplishment. I was happy with how I played the whole weekend. I was satisfied with the result.”
On the first playoff hole, Hurt noted her drive went slightly to the left, while Savage’s was in the middle of the fairway. Hurt eventually got her ball to within 5-6 feet of the hole she said, while Savage was inches from the cup. Both players made birdie on the first playoff hole.
“Hers was to three inches so I knew I had to make my putt to stay in the playoff,” said Hurt.
On the second playoff hole, Hurt said Savage slightly outdrove her off the tee. Hurt eventually wound up with a 12-foot birdie attempt, while Savage was staring at a par save from about12 feet.
“My putt was breaking left to right. I hit it so well and it rolled right in,” said Hurt.
Hurt admitted to feeling some pressure heading into the playoff. “I was really nervous going into the playoff,” she said. “I knew I had to stay calm and play my game and whatever happened, I was still going to come out of this strong my junior year at state.”
Hurt said it was the first time she encountered the Rochester senior. “She’s a senior and you could definitely tell she wanted to win. She had her team (which won the Class 1A state team title) with her to support her.”
Hurt estimated the playoff gallery to be around 100 people. “There were players, coaches and fans,” she said. “What was nice was there were a few players following us who I have gotten close to. It was nice to have the extra support from other competitors.”
Hurt’s title win was done in comeback fashion. She shot 79 on the first day (39-40) where she had 12 pars on the day. She found herself tied for fourth place overall, five strokes off two-time defending Class A state-champion and leader Lauren Chappell of Charleston High School and one behind Savage. Chappell won the state title her freshman and sophomore years and ended up tied for fourth place this past weekend, three shots behind Hurt at 155..
Hurt came back to shoot 73 on the last day (37-36) thanks to one birdie and 15 pars.
“Everything was working really well,” she said. “I was driving the ball well, got in the fairway. My irons were doing pretty good, but my short game was really good, especially (the last day). I had a lot of up-and-down saves for par and my chipping was really good. I was able to get close to the pin. I had some good putts where I was able to judge the speed well and get some nice tap-ins.”
Hurt said one of her goals this season was to try to win the state title. “But there are a lot of other top girls out there,” she said. “I knew there was going to be tough competition here. I’m very pleased. The goal is always to do better than last year and I did that.”
Hurt reached the Class 1A state finals after winning the Nazareth Academy sectional with a 74.
“Going into sectionals I was very confident with my game,” she said. “I was hitting the ball very well coming off regionals. I knew I had to play the same exact way.”
Hurt won the sectional title by six strokes in windy conditions (she had previously practiced hitting shots a certain way to combat the wind). Hurt carded three birdies (including her first two holes) in her round and was playing at 2-under par through the first three holes. One of the birdies came on a par-5 hole.
“I knew I had to play my game and stay focused,” she said. “I knew I had to post a really good score.”
IC Catholic Prep coach Don Sujack again was effusive in his praise of Hurt after the sectional win.
“It was another no-drama round with lots of fairways and greens and a few birdies thrown in,” he said. “Winning any IHSA tournament is an accomplishment, but to run away from the field in two consecutive elimination tournaments is impressive by any standards. Maddie is very motivated and she’s playing well.”
Hurt is the fourth golfer (boys or girls) in school history to earn a medal at the state meet, joining Patrick Haggerty (2010), Guy Sciortino (1994 and 1995) and Brian Smith (1982). She’s also the first golfer among the three Elmhurst high schools to ever win a state championship.
