Prospect’s Walsh will tee it up at Bradley

Since she began playing golf, Allison Walsh always wanted to be the best that she could be in the sport.

“So Division I golf has always been a goal of mine,” said the Prospect senior, who helped lead the Knights to the Class AA state final a year ago (fourth place) and is trying to do the same this fall.

Walsh recently accomplished her Division I goal when she committed to Bradley University in Peoria and coach Mary Moan.

“I looked at many schools but Bradley is the perfect team for me because the coach has great credentials, as well as being an amazing person,” Walsh said. “Coach Moan has won 16 collegiate events at Princeton and has qualified on the LPGA Duramed Futures Tour, so I can definitely learn a lot from her.”

Walsh has also learned a lot at Prospect, where she is an honor roll student and has been a varsity golfer for three years.

“Prospect golf has prepared me very well for college golf because we always have great practices constructed by coach (Jim) Hamann.” Walsh said. “Some Prospect alumni have even brought some of Prospect’s putting drills with them to their college team.

“Coach Hamann and my instructor John Elliott have been training me for college golf and I feel that I could have never been ready without them.”

Walsh is the most recent of eight Prospect golfers who have advanced to the next level since Hamann took over the program in 2005.

The list includes Michelle Caporusso (Northern Illinois), Ashley Waddell (North Park), Melanie Walsh (Washington University in St. Louis), Marietta Smith (Dartmouth), Megan Geraghty (Illinois Weslyan), Alexa Campanile (Wisconsin-Whitewater) and Karly Grouwinkel (Iowa).

“I am so proud of Allison and so happy for her, her family and for Bradley.” Hamann said. “ Bradley is getting one of the most talented golfers in the state, an outstanding student, a tremendous leader and one fantastic young lady.”

Walsh plans to study psychology or secondary education.

“I admire coach Hamann, who teaches and coaches a high school team,” Walsh said. “ I would like to do that as well.”

For now, Walsh wants to help her team win a fourth straight Mid-Suburban League crown and enjoy another successful post-season.

“I want to get to state and see how much noise the team can make,” she said. “I really believe in our team and every player is working hard to make this team the best in history so I believe the sky is the limit.”

Walsh shares the school record for nine holes (34 on the front nine at the Mt. Prospect Golf Course) with current teammate Allison Walsh and Senn. Last year, Walsh tied for the MSL individual championship before losing in a one-hole playoff with Elk Grove’s Rachel Kaim.

“Allison deserves everything she has earned thus far,” Hamann said. “She is a very hard worker in the classroom and on the golf course. The Prospect community is very proud of her. She is going to make Bradley proud.”

When she met the players at Bradley, Walsh said they seemed a lot like her teammates at Prospect.

“My team at Prospect is filled with my best friends so that is saying a lot for my new team at Bradley,” she said.

“Coach Moan has a goal for the team to win a conference championship, and I’d love to help the team do that. If my Bradley team could make it to the NCAA Division I championship tournament, that would be the ultimate dream come true.”

Walsh’s goal will be to continue getting better and shooting lower scores in college.

“With Bradley and coach Moan, I know I can do that,” she said. “And I can get a great education as well.”

“Bradley is an excellent fit for her,” Hamann said. “She is very excited about the opportunity. It is going to be a lot of fun watching her compete at the high level of MVC Women’s Golf. Her game will be ready.”