Dombroski opens season in style
By: The News-Gazette
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 09:52:52 AM CDT
Sophomore's ace marks fine start for Chargers
MAKANDA – Unlike four of her Centennial golf teammates, Lizzy Dombroski didn't return from Monday's season-opening tournament with a trophy.
Instead, the Charger sophomore headed home with something better: the thrill of a lifetime.
On her first shot at the Carbondale High School Class AA Invitational, Dombroski shot her first hole-in-one ever. Opening the shotgun-start event on the par-3 No. 7, Dombroski aced the 159-yard hole.
"I'm really excited," she said later Monday. "I was so happy to actually do it. I never thought I would actually get a hole-in-one, at least until I was a little older."
Chargers coach Darren Tee was with a group of his golfers at the next tee on Stone Creek Golf Course when Dombroski hit her ace. When he retraced his steps to join Dombroski and her partner, Audrey Ito, on the No. 7 green, Tee suspected something was up because neither Charger was holding her club.
"I asked, 'Did somebody get a hole-in-one?' " Tee said. "Lizzy turned to me with a little grin on her face."
Although Dombroski's expression said it all, Tee did wonder why he didn't hear some celebrating when the ball rolled into the hole. Turns out, Dombroski's sense of decorum took over.
"I didn't want to scream on the golf course," she said.
Tee immediately began working his cell phone, calling anyone he figured would be interested in the exciting news.
"Obviously, she was a little bit of a talk of the tournament," Tee said.
Centennial finished second in the seven-team tournament with a 238. Marion won with 220. Scoring on the front nine was scramble rules, with the back nine a best-drive, best-ball format.
The Charger duo of Krista Vedvik-Michelle Lee finished third, in a scorecard playoff, on the front nine with a 35 to earn a trophy. The Centennial tandem of Jenna Dombroski-Madison White also trophied by finishing third, again in a scorecard playoff, on the back nine with a 38.
The tournament was held at the host course for this fall's IHSA Class AA state tournament.
"We were hoping to go in there and have a good first tournament," Lizzy Dombroski said. "Overall, I think we're real pleased with the way we performed today."
At Teutopolis. Katie Jean of St. Thomas More shot a par 73 to earn medalist honors at the Wooden Shoes Kickoff Classic. The Sabers finished third in the 12-team event at 375, 13 strokes behind champion Effingham St. Anthony.
In boys' golf:
At Hubbard Trail. Brad Lawson shot a 45 to lead Hoopeston Area to second place in a three-team tournament. Bradley Crabtree, with a 47, was the low scorer for third-place Watseka.
At Peoria. Seth Trolia's 80 led Mahomet-Seymour to fifth in the 12-team Peoria Notre Dame Invitational. At 323, the Bulldogs were 11 strokes behind the winning Notre Dame Navy team.