Defending Interstate 8 Conference champion Ian Metzger played roughly 200 rounds at Fairways Golf Course this summer to prepare for his junior season with the Rochelle Hub varsity golf team.
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ROCHELLE — Defending Interstate 8 Conference champion Ian Metzger played roughly 200 rounds at Fairways Golf Course this summer to prepare for his junior season with the Rochelle Hub varsity golf team. The two-time IHSA sectional qualifier was in fine form on Thursday, when the Hubs teed off their conference schedule with their home opener against LaSalle-Peru.
Metzger earned medalist honors with a 1-over-par 37 to lead all scorers as Rochelle defeated the Cavaliers 166-173 to secure the first Interstate 8 dual win of the 2024 season. The Hubs (2-1, 1-0 Interstate 8) built on a solid opening meet on Tuesday evening, when Rochelle took second in a three-team match against the Freeport Pretzels and Dixon Dukes at Park Hills Golf Course. Metzger was also the medalist in that meet, shooting a team and match-best 38.
“It feels nice to get our first conference win,” Metzger said. “I played a lot of rounds this summer and I had a lot of fun doing it. Playing smart golf is really important here because it’s not a long course. You can’t overpower the ball and there’s no reason to be hitting over the trees. Keeping the ball in the middle, hitting greens and making putts when you have good looks are ways to avoid mistakes. I made one double bogey, but I thought I played a solid round overall.”
Metzger parred seven holes and finished with one birdie to finish as the low scorer on Thursday evening. Sophomore Alex Dyer wasn’t far behind, however, with the second-year varsity golfer shooting a 2-over-par 38 after carding consecutive birdies near the end of his round. Now taller and stronger than he was as a freshman, Dyer is looking to build on his results from last season, where he qualified for sectionals and was an All-Conference Honorable Mention.
“We have a lot of new talent and we’re all playing really well,” Dyer said. “Ian and I are leading the way and it feels amazing to get our first conference win. I kept my head up today and I focused on good swing thoughts, which led to a good drive on the seventh hole that kickstarted the end of my round. I put a lot of work in over the offseason and I spent a lot of time in the gym to gain more speed so I can get better. My mental game is a lot stronger than it was last year.”
Sophomore Owen Carmichael carded a 47 out of the third slot of the varsity lineup, scoring a birdie on the third hole. The Hubs saw two newcomers deliver meaningful varsity results on Thursday evening, with sophomore Johnny Chadwick shooting a 44 out of the sixth slot while sophomore Connor Lewis added a 48 out of the fifth slot. Senior Chris Hickey totaled a 50 out of the fourth slot to round out the varsity lineup during Thursday’s victory over the Cavaliers.
“It’s a lot of fun having guys who can really play,” Metzger said. “We’re able to go to meets and know that we have a chance to win. It becomes less about playing for myself and more about playing for the team, which makes the game a lot more enjoyable. I like that about our team.”
Michael Milota was the low scorer for LaSalle-Peru on Thursday, shooting a 40 while teammate Riley Cetwinski followed with a 42. Rochelle will return to action on Saturday, when the Hubs are scheduled to travel for the Rocket Invitational at Deer Valley.
Dixon/Freeport
Prior to the match against LaSalle-Peru on Thursday, Rochelle traveled to Park Hills Golf Course for a three-team nonconference match with the Freeport Pretzels and the Dixon Dukes. Dixon and Rochelle went back and forth throughout the evening, with Dixon shooting 176 while the Hubs landed one stroke behind with 177 and Freeport finished in third place with 188.
Junior Ian Metzger earned medalist honors with a 2-over-par 38 to lead the Hubs in the nonconference meet. Three sophomores rounded out the top four scorers for Rochelle, with Alex Dyer shooting 43 while Owen Carmichael added 47 and Connor Lewis scored 49. Sophomore Johnny Chadwick finished with 50 and senior Chris Hickey turned in a 58.
