Prospect features pair of aces

There is no shortage of senior leadership for the Prospect girls golf team this fall.

Coach Jim Hamann welcomes back a pair of veterans who not only are headed for collegiate careers, but they’ve already experienced two rounds in the Class AA state tournament.

Seniors Christine Garmoe and Allison Walsh were two key members for the Knights’ 2010 state qualifying team that ended its season with a fourth-place finish at Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur.

Walsh helped the Knights get to the final by firing a career-best 74 in the sectional.

“It was so exciting to shoot that well toward the end of the season,” said Walsh, a three-year varsity golfer who turned in a 69 during a practice round at Mt. Prospect on Aug. 11. “It was great that we got to play downstate last year. Now if we can get there again, we’ll feel a lot more comfortable.”

“It was unbelievable going downstate because we knew we could do it,” said Garmoe, who has been on the team since her freshman season. “It was so much fun to be there as a team and be the first to do it for coach Hamann.”

Hamann said Garmoe and Walsh had the best offseasons in terms of commitment, effort and accomplishments of any players he has coached in seven years.

“When we talked about leadership roles for their senior seasons, we told them not to change anything they have been doing,” Hamann said. “I’m very proud of both of them. These two girls will not settle for mediocrity this season.”

Here is a closer look at Prospect’s two aces.

Christine Garmoe: Considering a career in pharmacy, Garmoe is a National Honor Society student with a weighted grade-point average above 5.0.

She began playing golf in the fourth grade at Nickol Knoll Golf Club in Arlington Heights, getting support from her parents Ned and Belinda, who had been playing the game for years.

“I’d go to the driving range with my father and hit the ball around,” said Christine, whose father played for Glenbrook North. “By the summer before my freshman year, I got real serious about the game.”

Garmoe’s best score is a 74 (37-37) at the par-72 Pine Meadow Golf Course in Mundelein in 2010 and this past Tuesday at the Mt. Prospect Golf Course.

Her 34 on the front nine on Aug. 16 against Loyola tied the school record for nine holes with Walsh and Anne Senn.

“I think every part of the game is important and I just try to be consistent in all parts,” said Garmoe, who averages about 220 yards off the tee. “A nice long drive down the fairway or a long putt are both exciting to me.”

Garmoe, who tied for 12th in the 2010 MSL meet with an 88, would love to finish in the top 10 in state this fall.

“We know what to expect now because we went through the sectional meet last fall and two rounds of the state meet,” Garmoe said.

Allison Walsh: Walsh tried basketball, softball, soccer and other sports but it was golf that fit her like a tee.

“I saw my older sister (Melanie) having fun with it so I decided I would try it,” said Allison, whose parents Susan and Patrick also golf. “It was one of the best decisions I ever made.”

Now Walsh must decide on where she wants to play collegiately. Like Garmoe, she has been looking at D-I schools along with others.

“Christine really motivated me to get better,” Walsh said. “She was one of the first friends I had among golfers at Prospect and I wanted to get to play with her. She was on the varsity and that motivated me to get on the varsity so I could play in the same groups with her.”

Also like Garmoe, Walsh excels in the classroom as a National Honor Society student ranked in the top 70 of her class with a weighted GPA of more than 5.0.

She plans to study either secondary education or psychology.

“I’d love to do what Mr. Hamann does,” Walsh said. “Once you get the golf bug, there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Walsh did plenty at last year’s Mid-Suburban League meet.

She tied for first with Mia Kaim of Elk Grove. They both shot 79s before Kaim won on the first playoff hole at Wheeling’s Chevy Chase Country Club.

“It’s hard to choose one thing that stands out (in her high school career),” Walsh said. “It just keeps getting better and better for our team. The high school season was amazing last season and this summer was phenomenal.”

Now Garmoe and Walsh are hoping for more of the same this fall.