Sophomore Ryder Zeluff lines up a putt during Waubonsee’s final conference match of the season. Zeluff shot a 78 to help the Chiefs secure a second-place team finish.

By: Johnny Crouch, Sports & Activities Executive | Photos Courtesy of:Britt Crowe

The Waubonsee men’s golf team ended its fall season on a high note this Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Blackberry Oaks Golf Course in Bristol, finishing second in the final Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference match of the year. The performance marked the Chiefs’ strongest finish of the season, highlighted by consistent play across the lineup.

Before the match, head coach Dave Stephens reflected on how far the team has come in his second year leading the program. With four newcomers joining the team alongside three returning players, Stephens said he’s seen steady improvement as the players have grown more comfortable competing together week after week.

“Absolutely, I’ve seen them grow quite a bit,” Stephens said. “We’ve been playing better and better, and it’s been very nice to see the pieces come together.”

Each of the five conference teams hosts one match during the season, meaning the same group of players compete against each other every week at a different course. Stephens said that familiarity helps create a comfortable, competitive environment.

“These kids play with each other five times during the year, so they get pretty used to playing in these situations,” Stephens said.

While golf is often thought of as an individual sport, Stephens said the team dynamic has been one of the best parts of coaching this group.

“It’s a little unusual. You can have a happy player and a sad player whether you win or lose,” Stephens said. “But I do see a lot of support, and kids get excited about other kids playing well. It’s been a really nice group, easy to coach and very responsible.”

Sophomore Justin Winters echoed that sentiment, pointing to the family-like atmosphere Stephens has built within the program.

“Dave’s really great. He’s super nice, It’s kind of like a family; almost like a second dad,” Winters said.

That support has translated into growth for Winters on the course as well. After a year of gaining experience at the collegiate level, Winters said he feels more confident handling the ups and downs of competition. His biggest improvement this season, he noted, has been his mental approach to the game. 

“Mentally, staying strong and not getting down after bad shots is huge,” Winters said. “Being able to keep going after bad things happen kind of revives the round.”

Winters added that competing against familiar opponents each week has also helped him stay calm under pressure. The consistency of seeing the same players throughout the season has made it easier to settle in and focus on his own game. 

“If you’ve played with the same guys before, it calms you down a little,” Winters said. “Going in with all new people can be overwhelming, so it’s relaxing knowing who you’re playing with.”

That confidence showed on Wednesday. Waubonsee posted a team score of 316 to finish second behind Elgin Community College’s 303. The result knocked Oakton Community College down to third place and prevented the Owls from winning a second straight outright Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference title.

Ryder Baluff and Joe Barbush led the Chiefs with matching scores of 78, while Winters finished close behind with a 79 after battling through a rough front nine. Brian Davoust shot an 81 to round out the team’s four scoring rounds. This collective effort gave Waubonsee its best finish of the year, topping their previous high mark of third place earlier in the season. 

For Stephens, the performance capped a season defined by progress as much as results.

“I think success is really about the experience of the kids,” Stephens said. “I want them to be lifetime lovers of golf and to have a good college experience. It’s nice to be a part of something bigger than yourself, and that’s what golf has given most of our kids.”

The Chiefs will return to competition in April 2026, looking to build on their late-season momentum and make a push toward qualifying for the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in May.