Landon golfer Chris O’Neill likes it hard and fast. But when the stakes are high, his adrenaline-infused swing can crank into overdrive. It’s not a pretty sight. It happened last spring at the Metro Private Schools Championship when O’Neill failed to break 90 on his home course.
But recently, O’Neill has learned to gear down. At the suggestion of his coach, Jack Duquette, O’Neill is swinging easy and playing better.
Monday afternoon at Norbeck Country Club, O’Neill used his new approach to fire a 33 for nine holes, leading Landon to a victory over Georgetown Prep, 189-193.
“I’ve always tried to kill the ball,” said O’Neill. “But by swinging slower, trying to maintain my tempo, I’m more in control, have more consistency.”
O’Neill, who will play next year at James Madison University, was three strokes better than Prep’s top player, senior Trevor Matese (36). Since middle school the two have been companions at Congressional Country Club and are likely to battle for the Interstate Athletic Conference title at the league tournament next Tuesday.
“[Chris] played incredible,” said the Georgetown University-bound Matese. “And he could have been even better. He missed a 4-footer on No. 1 for a birdie and 6-footers on No. 5 and No. 6.”
O’Neill made an eagle at the par-5 eighth, chipping in from off the green. O’Neill also had birdies at No. 2, where he hit a wedge from a fairway bunker to within four feet, No. 3, where he hit a 4-iron to 10 feet, and No. 7, where he hit a wedge to eight feet.
Prep (4-3-1, 2-1) lost the match at No. 9, where it combined to go 4-over par while Landon played the hole even par.
“Two things happened,” said Prep coach Bob Barry. “One is, O’Neill shoots 33. Two is, the ninth hole. Every close match we’ve had this year, it’s come down to the last hole.”
Errant strokes
» Defending Interstate Athletic Conference champion Landon (7-1, 3-0) also got strong play from senior Mikey Doyle (37), junior J.J. Carbonell (40), and sophomore Ersin Levent (38).
» Prep had solid work from junior Dan Hathway (39) and seniors Conor Murphy (37) and Jim Soltesz (40).
» Prep is the defending Metro champion.
