Sharpening skills

After a 71st place finish at the state tournament last season, Yorkville senior Andrew Borneman has high expectations going into the year. The Foxes are expected to be among the deeper teams in the area.
Donnell Collins / Special to the Beacon News

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Heading into last season, Yorkville boys golf coach Jerry Farber knew he had something in Andrew Borneman and Kager Schlichting.

"I thought both of them had an outside shot (at reaching the state meet)," Farber said.

But as the season unfolded and the pair continued to improve, Farber's scouting report changed a little bit.

"I thought they had a legitimate shot with the way they were shooting," Farber said.

Borneman and Schlichting surprised even themselves by reaching the Class 2A state meet last fall. Unfortunately, the trip did not work out as well as either had hoped, with Borneman finishing 71st and Schlichting 89th.

"Last year was kind of overwhelming," Borneman said. "I didn't think I was as good as the people that were there. Now, I know I'm as good as them. It would be good to get there another year. I know I can do better than last year."

After wrapping up summer baseball -- Borneman is a pitcher and first baseman -- he played three-to-four times a week and participated in a handful of IJGA events to sharpen up for his senior season.

It took a couple of weeks to transition from his baseball swing to his golf swing, but he has it back now and is looking forward to wrapping up his career in solid fashion.

"I'd like to get my season average down a little bit," Borneman said. "I was around 41 last year. I'd like to get down to around 38 and make a run at (Western Sun Conference) player of the year and get back down to state. But hopefully as a team this year."

Schlichting admitted that he was "completely surprised" that he reached state as a sophomore. With the sting of finishing 89th fresh in his mind, Schlichting made sure he ventured away from the Foxes' home course of Blackberry Oaks more often this summer to experience some more challenging golf courses.

"I played in a couple more tournaments, played a couple more courses with some more variety," Schlichting said. "I played two tournaments at the Oak Club of Genoa. Orchard Valley was a real tough course. I didn't move much outside of Blackberry last year."

Last season, Borneman and Schlichting often carried the Foxes in every meet. This year, however, Yorkville has one of the deepest, most balanced teams in recent memory, with four three-year varsity players on the roster and five of its top six players back.

Combined with the experience of already playing in a state meet, Farber sees that as nothing but a positive for Borneman and Schlichting.

"I think there will be less pressure on them as far as having to score with our depth," Farber said. "That will be a nice thing. In the past, our top one or two guys had to score. I think this will help us shoot some lower scores."

This year, however, the duo would like some company at state.