Morton High School senior Tommy Kuhl put on the best performance in IHSA Boys Golf State Final history in 2017, a year after the IHSA held its
centennial anniversary for the tournament. The format
and number of holes played at the IHSA State Finals vary through the years, but there is no denying that Kuhl’s 36-hole triumph was as dominant as it was special.
Kuhl faced off with Illinois State University’s Weibring Golf Club, a par 71 (36-35) course that extends 6,447 yards from its white tees, which is where Kuhl and his fellow IHSA Class 2A qualifiers teed off from.
Kuhl’s weekend started on Friday, October 12, when he carded a 63 (30-33), the best 18-hole total in IHSA Boys Golf State Final history. The round featured eight birdies, including six on the front nine, and no bogeys. The score also tied the Weibring course record, an honor he now shares with former Illinois State University players Matt Miller, Tommy Bliefnick and Joe Emerich.
Kuhl followed that performance with a 66 (34-32) on Saturday (October 13) to post a 36-hole total of 129, setting the IHSA state final record for a 36-hole round. He finished -13 for the tourney, winning by 12 strokes.
The performance put an exclamation point on an amazing prep career, as Kuhl previously helped the Potters win back-to-back team state championships in 2014 and 2015. The University of Illinois commit won IHSA individual medalist honors as a freshman in 2014 with a 142, was 17th in 2015 with a 153, and tied for fourth with a 149 in 2016.
Kuhl became the 11th player in state history to win multiple individual state titles, joining a list that includes 2004 British Open champ Todd Hamilton (Biggsville Union HS) and current PGA pro Luke Guthrie (Quincy HS).
Below are the top IHSA Boys Golf State Final rounds:
- 129-Tommy Kuhl, Morton (2017, Class 2A)
- 137-Joe Carlson, St Viator (2008, 3A)
- 137-Mason Jacobs, Massac County (2007, 2A)
- 137-Mason Jacobs, Massac County (2005, A)
- 137-Jonathan Hauter, Peoria Christian (2007, 1A)
- 139-Mike Mortell, Bishop McNamara (1977, A)
- 139-Luke Guthrie, Quincy (2007, 3A)
- 140-Kenneth Li, Hinsdale Central (2014, 3A)
- 140-Drew Miles, North Shore Country Day (2015, 2A)
- 140-Jay Haas, Belleville West (1971)