For twenty years, head coach Jed Curtis has cultivated a family-like atmosphere at Evanston Kits golf, emphasizing the journey over any single trophy. That philosophy faces its toughest test this weekend as the team heads to The Den in Bloomington for the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state championship—without its reigning star, junior Lester Low.
Lester Low’s record-breaking round and bold decision
On Monday, Low produced the best round of his high-school career, carding a dazzling 60 at the Glenbrook North Sectional on the Heritage Golf Club. The score included a rare hole-in-one on the 137-yard No. 6 and an eagle on the opening hole, leaving him unbeaten for the day and securing medalist honors. He later explained his choice to forego the state meet in Bloomington in favor of the invitation-only Ping Invitational in Tallahassee, Florida
“Competing against the world’s best will push my development,” Low said. “I haven’t proven I can contend at that level yet, so this is a necessary leap for my career.” He added that he consulted coaches, teammates, and family, and remains the team’s biggest fan, promising to watch and support them remotely.
Impact on the Wildkits’ state championship bid
Without Low, the Kits entered the sectional with a total of 280 placing third behind Hersey and New Trier both at 278. The lineup that contributed to the score featured junior Henry Way (73), senior Henry Schmidt (73), and senior Derrick Nelson (74). Curtis acknowledged the setback but refused to view it as a fatal blow:
“I’m disappointed, but I can live with his decision,” Curtis said. “The program has a deep bench, and several players can still chase the individual state title. We’re not writing ourselves off.” He emphasized that the team’s culture will keep the players focused on a “memorable experience” rather than dwelling on what they lack.
Details of Low’s historic 60 and what it means for high-school golf
Low’s round was flawless; he finished “bogey-free” for the first time all season. After the ace on No. 6—heard as a sharp impact on the flagstick—he kept his composure, firing a perfect tee shot on No. 10 that he later cited as his favorite moment. The scoreline read: eagle on No. 1, birdies on holes 7, 10, 13, 15, 17, and 18. He stopped just short of the legendary 59 mark, a benchmark many golfers obsess over.
When asked about the ace, Low admitted he never saw the ball drop but recognized the sound and the crowd’s reaction. “It was cool, but the tournament kept going, and I had to stay focused,” he reflected. Coach Curtis highlighted the mental strength behind that shot, noting that Low’s ability to execute under pressure signals a player “who is ready for the next level.”
As the Kits prepare for the two-day test at The Den, Curtis and his staff will lean on the remaining squad—still boasting multiple contenders for the individual crown—and the shared belief that the journey, not a single tournament, defines their season.
