Apple 'the reason we went to state this year'
By KEVIN DRULEY
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kdruley@kcchronicle.com
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| Chronicle Boys Golfer of the Year Wes Apple placed 11th at the IHSA Class 3A State Tournament with a two-day 154. (Sandy Bressner - sbressner@kcchronicle.com) |
Wes Apple traded his baseball bat for golf clubs after his freshman year at St. Charles East, resolved to turn that left-handed swing into a solo act.
"I figured I was probably better off in golf, because if someone else makes a mistake, it doesn't hurt you," Apple said. "You don't need to depend on anyone other than yourself."
Funny the Saint who held the fate of five others captive with one mid-range putt should mention that. Apple's clutch putt to close sectionals edged Theo Lederhausen and Hinsdale Central by one stroke for a team berth in the IHSA Class 3A State Tournament.
Apple's East teammates watched from a patio overlooking the 18th green at St. Andrews and eventually mobbed the Chronicle's Boys Golfer of the Year once he signed his scorecard.
"He's the reason we went to state this year," Saints junior Jon Woods said. "Theo bogeyed and Wes parred and that's how everything turned out there. It was huge on Wes' part. To come out and beat Theo head-to-head, that shows something right there."
Apple improved from 38th at state as a junior to 11th as a senior, compiling a two-day 154 at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington last month. He shot less than 80 in 12 of his 21 rounds while scoring for the Saints all 21 times.
Apple and others credit the climb to an accelerated work ethic that hardly takes a hiatus. Apple keeps active in Illinois Junior Golf Association (IJGA) and Mid-American Junior Golf Tour (MAJGT) events each summer and often puts in late nights at the St. Andrews practice range, which closes at 8 p.m. and operates into November.
Finding a winter tournament ranks next on his to-do list, with making a college decision the other clubhouse leader. Apple has sent his high school resume to coaches at Northern Illinois, South Florida, North Florida and Jacksonville, taking a special interest in the Sunshine State because of a longtime yearning to play year-round.
"Getting ready really doesn't end," Apple said.
Even if he ends up enrolled north of the Mason-Dixon line, chances are Apple will remain dialed in. He excelled in adverse conditions through the last four tournaments of the year, spanning the Saints' second-place Upstate Eight Conference finish to their eighth-place showing at state.
The wind chill in Bloomington registered 29 degrees during the Saints' first practice round at The Den, but that's when Apple demonstrated his leadership to East coach John Stock the most.
"We tee off, it's cold, it's windy, but a player like Wes just plugs away and makes it happen," Stock said. "He's going to make some college a heck of a player."
Apple garnered Golfer of the Year honors last year, as well, when he qualified for state as an individual with Brett Weiss. Junior Jordan Wetsch took the job as Apple's usual running mate this season, sharing the team most valuable player Award at a recent banquet.
Wetsch also starred on the IJGA and MAJGT circuits this summer, and developed a friendly banter with Apple as the pair competed for the Saints' top spot. Still, he was happy to be in the makeshift gallery at St. Andrews with a team berth at state on the line.
"It's not bad by any means going down to state as an individual, but it's certainly not as fun as when you have your whole team down there," Wetsch said. "You could just tell Wes was pumped and ready to make that putt."
That part was easy. Apple only had to depend on himself.
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