Dec. 5—In coach David Sebestik’s words, Claybrooke “will go down as one of the greatest in our program’s history.” He won an individual regional title and finished tied for 16th at the Class 2A state tournament, the highest placement of any area boys’ golfer, for the second year in a row. Claybrooke’s 74.67 stroke average bested his Golfer of the Year season in 2023, giving him the second- and third-lowest season averages for the Bulldogs during the last 30-plus years.
always keeping his ball marker in his left pocket.
a professional athlete.
Cheez-Its.
basketball.
Will Ferrell.
Pat McAfee, Bob Knight and his late grandfather, Jerry Funkhouser.
winning the lottery, traveling the world and kicking a field goal on College GameDay.
Friedman was one of only six area boys’ golfers to qualify for the IHSA state tournament, tying for 47th in Class 2A after his bold play in round one got him to round two. He finished the season with an 18-hole scoring average of 76, and his round of 70 at the Crete-Monee Warrior Invite set a Prairie Central record. Friedman’s performance this season also earned him All-Illini Prairie Conference honors.
never cleaning his golf ball.
playing on the PGA Tour.
Little Bites mini muffins.
baseball.
Adam Sandler.
Bryson DeChambeau, Donald Trump and the Good Good Golf members.
golfing at Payne’s Valley, attending a PGA Tour or LIV Golf event and golfing at Pebble Beach.
McFarling was one of the most consistent area golfers throughout the postseason. He won an individual regional championship after shooting a round of 77 and followed up that performance with a 78 at sectionals to qualify for the Class 1A state tournament. His 79 on the first day kept him in the hunt toward the top of the leaderboard, but a 92 in the second round dropped him down to a 71st-place finish.
always hitting driver on the first hole, even if it’s a par 3.
a film director.
peanut butter.
breakdancing.
Kevin James.
LeBron James, Eddie Murphy and Brent Harseim.
going to a Frank Ocean concert, shooting a round under 70 and winning a regional golf title.
Neef would be the top golfer for just about every other team in the area, but he was perfectly content being the Sages’ No. 2, one of the best No. 2s in the state, while Player of the Year Maddux Quick pushed him every day. Neef ended the final season of his high school career as an individual Class 2A state qualifier and Illini Prairie Conference runner-up with a 9-hole scoring average of 38.3.
he marks his ball with a black line under the Titleist logo before every round.
a private jet pilot for a big-time celebrity.
Goldfish.
hockey.
Luke Perry.
Abraham Lincoln, Paul Revere and Adam Sandler.
going to the Masters, attending the Super Bowl and going to the men’s college basketball national championship.
The News-Gazette’s Boys’ Golfer of the Year, Quick’s accomplishments speak for themselves. He broke the Sages’ individual 18-hole record twice this season with a pair of 69s, once to win the individual Illini Prairie Conference title, and led the team to break Monticello’s 18-hole record three times, the third being a 296 to win the IPC championship. Quick’s 9-hole scoring average of 37.1 also set a school record. He was a sectional runner-up and finished tied for 27th at the Class 2A state tournament.
having just one tee in his pocket.
a professional golfer.
Slim Jims and Mott’s fruit snacks.
basketball.
Adam Sandler.
Rickie Fowler, his grandpa and Stephen Curry.
going to a Drake concert, attending the Masters and playing Division I golf.
Only halfway through his high school career, Umstattd has solidified himself as one of the area’s best, finishing his sophomore season with a 9-hole scoring average of 37.8. He was the highest area finisher in the Class 1A boys’ state tournament, tying for 30th after shooting rounds of 77 and 82. He was the Heart of Illinois Conference individual champion and tied for third at regionals.
drinking a Dr. Pepper before every round.
playing golf.
gummy bears.
basketball.
Ryan Reynolds.
LeBron James, Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau.
playing in the Masters, winning a state title and traveling the world for golf.
