Girls golf: Scouting Northwest

Golfers to watch

Barrington: Reena Sulkar (Sr), Shivani Majmudar (Jr.), Allie Quinn (Jr.), Ashley Mallon (Sr), Akshara Ramakrishnan (Jr.), Swetha Seshadri (So.), Maggie Hoffman (So.), Nicole Ciskowski (Fr.). Ishani Majmudar (Fr.), Olivia Lee (Fr.)

Buffalo Grove: Haeri Lee (So.), Emily Carnes (Sr.), Jasmine Yi (So.), Grace Gran (So.), Katie Fontanetta (So.), Katie Jarosz (Jr).

Conant: Megan Nagorzanski (Jr.), Marissa Murray (Sr), Megan Mayers (Jr), Michelle Zhana (Fr.), Tida Bowers (Jr.), Nimra Syed (So.)

Elk Grove: Amy Carpenter (Jr.), Gabby Vazquez (Sr.)

Fremd: Jaehee Hur (Sr.), Sophia Metallo (Sr), Haezi Jung (Sr.), Annie Gao (Jr.), Ann Marie O'Sullivan (Jr.), Kristina Ferrari (Jr.)

Hersey: Lexi Heidkamp (Sr.), Megan Kopeny (Jr.), Maggie Anderson (Jr), Sophia Cacioppo (Jr.)

Hoffman Estates: Sakhee Sakhardande (Sr.)

Maine West: Renee Adam (Sr.), Kimi Selgrad (Sr.), Prachi Patel (Sr.), Megan Kalinowski (Jr.), Amber Ward (So.), Clara Cupuro (Fr)

Palatine: Jennifer Myslinsky (So.), Maddie Jones (Sr.), Stephanie Becker (Sr.)

Prospect: Sabrina Accardi (Jr.), Kate Ponzi (Jr.), Payton Chantry (Sr.), Brianna Ergastolo (Sr.), Emily Fleming (Fr.), Allison Buck So.), Marguerite Pettenuzzo (So.), Mary Schafer (Jr.), Daleny Halloran (Jr.)

Rolling Meadows: Megan Fallon (Sr.), Katie Hialgo (Sr.), Nicole Von Oesen (Fr.), Caroline Smith (Fr.)

Schaumburg: Gianna Fanelli (Sr.), Yumi Otsu (Sr.), Christina Kim (Sr.), Jennifer Capello (So.), Trinity Corwin (So.)

St. Viator: Paige Patano (SR., Susie Carlson (Jr,), Catherine Hafner (Sr.)

Wheeling: Kirsten Wilhelm (Sr.)

Area outlook

As it looks to defend seven straight Mid-Suburban League championships, Prospect will have its youngest team under coach Jim Hamann, who has made the program a state power. Hamann, who was one of eight finalists for national coach of the year at a ceremony in Rochester, Minn., this summer, has only two seniors on the roster (senior Kate Ponzi and Payton Chantry). Ponzi and Sabrina Accardi were members of last year's state finalist team which took fifth. Hamann has led the Knights to two state titles, one state runner-up, and a fourth- and fifth-place finish in the last five years. "We want to keep the tradition going," said the 11-year veteran coach. "Because tradition does not graduate." Graduated players from a year ago include Isabella Flack (Ferris State) and Kacie O'Donnell, who were both in the top ten of the 2014 MSL meet. "We are very excited to be back at the Mt. Prospect Golf Club (which was under renovation last year) so that will help, too," Hamann said. "The girls are looking forward to improving all season. It's a real fun group."

Barrington, Buffalo Grove and Fremd have already shown they are ready to compete as well. Buffalo Grove was second to state power St. Charles North at the Early Bird Invite at Fox Run Golf Course. The Bison shot a 329, which was actually 10 strokes better than their 339 score that won the event in 2014. BG sophomores Lee and Yi, who were fourth and seventh (tie) respectively at the Early Bird, tied for ninth in the MSL meet last fall. "We have a lot of experience back, graduating only one senior," said BG coach Matt Myers. "And we have a lot of girls from the junior varsity ranks ready to step up." BG senior Emily Carnes was third in the MSL meet as a junior. Fremd took fifth place in the Early Bird, led by seniors Hur (tied for fourth in the 2014 MSL meet) and Jung (sixth in the MSL meet), who each cracked the top ten. "Our conference is very competitive," said Vikes coach Christine Vlaming, who begins her eighth year directing the program. "We have a lot of strong players. Our goals is always to be at the top of the conference. and then go step by step when the postseason starts."

Barrington Hall of Fame coach Jodi Schoeck begins her 29th season with a talented group. Defending MSL champion Reena Sulkar, who started the season with a school record 66 at the Bonnie Dundee Golf Club in Carpentersville, returns for her juinior season. The Fillies, who shot a school-record 297 in winning their own tourney on Monday, are looking forward to a competitive season returning six varsity players. Schoeck was the 2009 National High School Coach of the year and has guided the Fillies to 11 MSL titles (four straight from 2004 to 2007), 12 regional crowns and nine appearances in the state finals, including third in 1996. Schoeck has four newcomers on the squad, including freshmen Ciskowski and Ishani Majmudar, who contributed to the 297 score on Monday. "We will rely on the tournament experience of all our players," Schoeck said. "Our goal is to develop our team chemistry and work together, make some things happen and have some fun."

Conant coach Megan Hebert returns one of the top golfers in the league. Senior Megan Nagorzanski tied for seventh in the MSL meet last fall.

Hersey coach Dan Vesper begins his third season and has Kopeny as a returning sectional qualifier. "With Lexi (Heidkamp) and four juniors, we should be competitive," Vesper said. Huskies junior Sophia Cacioppo tied for ninth in the MSL meet as a sophomore. Palatine coach Bill LePage welcomes back sophomore Jennifer Myslinsky, who was the first freshman to play on the varsity roster in his five seasons.

Like Prospect a year ago, Rolling Meadows will be this year's road warriors. The Mustangs' home course, Arlington Lakes in Arlington Heights, is under renovation. So coach Paul Fraser's Meadows girls will play all of their meets on opposing team's courses like the Knights did last fall when their Mt. Prospect Golf Club underwent major changes. The Mustangs will practice at Twin Lakes Golf Course in Palatine.

• St. Viator coach Mick Drewes has an inexperienced club but hopes to see improvement all season. "We have a lot of new players," Drews said. "We'll take our lumps early but look to improve with every match."

- John Leusch