Payton-Jones College Prep Co-Op, Henry Reiland of Whitney Young Capture 2022 Boys Golf Team and Individual Titles

By Dominic Scianna

The Payton College Prep-Jones College Prep Co-Op boys varsity golf team won the Chicago Public League (CPL) city championship topping the field with a team score of 309 at Indian Boundary Golf Course on September 22.

Led by Aadi Rao, Michael Chen and Nico Attlan each carding rounds of 77 (+5), and Avi Jerath’s 78 (+6), Payton-Jones bested Lane Tech (325), Whitney Young (328) and Lincoln Park (336) for team honors for its second consecutive CPL city golf title.

Medalists Aadi Rao, Michael Chen, and Nico Attlan

“This team worked hard all year and I’m really proud of them,” Payton-Jones coach David Gilmer said. “This is my eighth year of coaching and this season we’ve had a lot of different players stepping up when we’ve needed them to win, but aside from the scores – golf is a sport about integrity and sportsmanship and they all do those things really well too.”

Individual medalist honors went to Whitney Young junior Henry Reiland who shot a one-under-par 71 amid windy conditions to hold off runner up Diego Condie-Espinosa of Lane Tech, who finished with a score of 76 (+4). His eagle three on the 468-yard, par five 16^th hole widened his lead down the stretch to secure the victory.

Henry Reiland Tees Off at CPL City Championship

“I wanted to eagle 16 and I hit an excellent drive. Then my second shot landed within three feet, so I was really happy about that,” Reiland said. “I was feeling a little nervous the final few holes, but I had been playing pretty well the whole day, so I just settled down and did what I had to do to win.”

Payton-Jones coach Matt Castle knew Reiland had it in him to win the tournament and believes he can go far in the upcoming IHSA state golf tournament, which begins with regional play on September 28.

“He’s played in a ton of tournaments this year to improve his game,” noted Castle. “His confidence has grown from those experiences and although he’s a quiet kid he’s got a little bit of a swagger about him on the golf course this year.”