Glenbrook North newcomers contribute right away

• Reprints

Glenbrook North sophomore Nick Hardy tees off during the Glenbrook South Tournament at Hawthorne Woods. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media

Updated: November 3, 2011 5:44PM

Glenbrook North didn’t win on Monday, but the Spartans still showed that they’re one of the best golf teams in the area by finishing second in the Glenbrook South Tournament, held at Hawthorn Woods Country Club.

The Spartans shot 308 to place behind defending state champion Lake Forest, which toured the course that hosted this summer’s Illinois Open in 304. The Scouts’ Joe Willis earned medalist honors with a 1-under-par 71. New Trier took third with 318, while Loyola fired 330 to claim sixth.

Glenbrook North was led by sophomore Nick Hardy, who finished runner-up behind Willis with a 2-over 74. Hardy had won his first tournament of the season with a 7-under 65.

Brian Ohr, medalist last week in the team’s second tournament victory this season in Bloomington, shot 78 to match scores by teammates Harrison Marick and Jae Lee on a track that played longer than 7,000 yards.

Hardy and Ohr are veterans, while Marick and Lee are in their first varsity seasons. In fact, Marick didn’t play at all last year.

“We are glad he’s out here,” Glenbrook North coach Justin Gerbich said. “He’s a great player and a great kid. He’s buddies with all the guys, and he’s a nice addition to our team.”

Others back from last year’s team that finished fourth at the state tournament include juniors Nick Jan and Jon Goldstein.

“Jon played a lot last year, but he was up and down,” Gerbich said. “He has a nice swing. He had a nice second day at the state tournament, which I know helped his confidence. He’s really improved, too.”

Junior Tyler Dechter is another newcomer to a varsity lineup with no seniors.

“We’re not looking down the road because we are solid right now,” the seventh-year coach said. “We are going to push ourselves to do the best we can this year. You can’t wait till next year, but it is nice that we are young.”

Gerbich believes the Spartans are built to challenge for a state title. Glenbrook North’s best finish at State was third place in 1971.

“We’ve had good teams in the past with three really good players,” Gerbich said. “Hopefully, we have the depth this year. It’s hard to tell right now because it’s early, but we’ve had a nice start.”