Senior Advances to State Tournament

As a senior and captain of Parker’s Varsity Golf Team, Henry Weil was on a mission from the first day of practice in August. Having narrowly missed last year’s State Tournament, he came into the season seeking to play in the final weekend of High School Golf in Bloomington, Illinois.

After a solid Regional showing that propelled three Parker golfers to Sectionals, there was only one round remaining for Henry to clinch a tee time at Prairie Vista, the host course of this year’s State Championship. Seeming to be a shoo-in as he sat at 5-over-par through 15 holes, Henry opted to keep the audience engaged. He double-bogeyed the par-4 16th hole, only to settle the nerves by flushing an iron off the tee on the 215-yard, par-3 17th hole. Walking with confidence, Henry stood over his putt ready to make birdie. After leaving his birdie putt short, he also confidently stood over his par putt, and then also over his bogey putt. A lot of pressure comes along with being the final tee time of the day, and the pressure only intensified after 4-putting for his second double-bogey in a row. Now standing at 9-over with one hole to play, Henry knew what had to be done for a chance at State. 

Henry sliced a drive to the right and found himself under some trees. At 140 yards away from the pin, destiny seemed to be fiddling with the keys as a vista presented itself to Henry that pointed directly to the green. As if it was just another day at the office, Henry hit a beautiful pitching wedge onto the green and 2 putts for par and walked towards the Scorer’s Table to turn in his 81. Learning that he made the cut by one stroke and advanced to his first State Championship weekend to represent the Colonels, Henry looked back towards the 18th hole and the vista he had while sitting under the tree, a Prairie Vista if you will. 

Henry played exceptionally well to earn his spot among the best golfers in the state. Parker is proud to have him represent the school in Bloomington this weekend, and we wish him the best of luck and the most favorable of bounces as he embarks on the final High School Golf Tournament of his memorable career.