By Tim Wester
Sports Correspondent
Sometimes everything clicks at once.
That’s exactly what happened to Union Grove golfers Eric Chambers and Connor Brown at the WIAA Division 1 Waukesha South Sectional at Naga-Waukee Golf Course Wednesday, May 31.
Chambers medaled at the event with a tournament-best 73, which was just three strokes better than runner-up and teammate Connor Brown.
The duo continually pierced the Naga-Waukee fairways to propel themselves past a talented field and qualify for the state championship golf tournament at historic University Ridge Golf Course in Madison Monday and Tuesday.
Chambers and Brown became the first Bronco duo to qualify for state and just second and third state qualifiers overall in school history.
“Eric was simply outstanding, hitting 15 greens in regulation and had four birdies on the day,” Union Grove coach Eric Swanson said. “He started with a bogey and ended with a bogey, but in between he was steady. State has been a goal of his all four years, and I am beyond happy for him because he has put in the work.”
While Chambers’ impressive performance was the perfect way to commemorate his high school golf career, Brown quietly put it all together as a sophomore.
“Connor was also outstanding,” Swanson said. “He had one hiccup on the 13th hole and could have easily folded, but he maintained his composure and finished the round par and par to end up with the second-best score of the day.”
Chambers and Brown’s scores were so impressive that they had the Broncos in contention for a team state qualifier spot.
In the end, Union Grove (331) fell 10 strokes short of second-place Brookfield Central. Mukwonago, who was the other team qualifier, won the event with a 316.
“As a team, we also did really well finishing fourth, which was higher than we were seeded,” Swanson said. “We only finished 10 strokes out of the second state qualifying spots, and after the front nine, we were actually only two strokes out of first place.”
Other Bronco finishers included junior Taylor Maxwell (87), senior Sam Letsch (95), junior Nick Tracy (95).
“Against tough competition on a very tough course, I was extremely happy with our finish.”
The competition and the golf course gets even tougher for the Broncos next week.
Swanson just wants his duo to continue playing top-notch golf.
“The fact that we had the top two scorers in a sectional full of good players is great,” Swanson said. “We’re looking forward to a couple of great days in Madison.”
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