Somewhere in the Serafin household are some plastic golf clubs that Peyton Serafin used when he was very young.
His father, David, has them stored somewhere, Peyton said.
Those clubs started a career for Peyton that blossomed into him becoming one of the top golfers in the state.
“I’ve had a golf club in my hand as long as I could remember,” Peyton said. “My dad bought plastic clubs for me when I was 3 and I just kind of ran with it ever since.”
Last year, Peyton finished third in the IHSA Class 1A state meet. David is also Beecher’s coach and a strong player on the Chicago District Golf Association circuit.
“He taught me a lot of things, but probably the biggest thing is the mental aspect of the game,” Peyton said of his father. “Keeping cool. You can control yourself on the course.”
Regional play opened this week and Serafin and the Bobcats are hoping for a big postseason.
They easily won their eighth straight River Valley Tournament on Sept. 16 at Lincolnshire Country Club with a 334. Serafin finished first with a 75, Ben Anaclerio took second with an 83, and Charlie Nowak and Jacob Benck tied for third with 88s.
On Sept. 26, the team headed to Joliet to tune up for the regional at the Don Nichols Tournament at Wedgewood. Serafin finished tied for fourth out of 112 golfers with a 71. The team took 11th with a 320 in a field that was predominantly Class 3A schools.
Once he is back in 1A competition, Serafin will be a target.
“I try not to think about that too much,” he said. “I just play my own game. If people beat me on the course, they beat me on the course.”
Purdue Northwest, Millikin and Olivet Nazarene have shown interest and Serafin said he wants to continue playing the sport he loves.
“I love spending time with my family and friends,” he said. “Walking on the course. Being outside in nature. Obviously playing good golf is a good reason.”
Panthers make history
Manteno’s girls golf team won its first conference title in program history, firing a 389 at the Illinois Central Eight Tournament on Sept. 22 at Wolf Creek.
Sophomore Genevieve Kvasnicka shot a 93 for second place and sophomore Ava Fundukian was right behind her with a 94. Freshman Olivia Bukowski took sixth with a 99. Senior Sophie Peterson tied for seventh with a 103.
Manteno’s Maddy Belisle (12) goes up to hit against Peotone’s Alexa Matichak (10) and Ava Kosmos (15) on Sept. 23. Manteno won in three sets. Photo by Jim Piacentini
Another big battle
In the past two seasons, Manteno and Peotone have tangled in girls volleyball five times and three have gone a full three sets.
So, it was no surprise on Sept. 23 that the two teams would engage in another close Illinois Central Eight battle with visiting Manteno pulling off a 19-25, 25-19, 25-21 victory.
The Panthers (18-3 heading into this week) were led by Maddie Gesky’s 13 kills, while Maddy Belisle had seven.
For Peotone (12-7 heading into the week), Cora Pagliarulo had 10 kills and Mia Connolley added nine. Allie Werner contributed 16 assists and 13 digs, while Peyton Bisping added three aces and 13 digs.
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