Sibling rivalry powers Hampshire golf

Sibling rivalry simply won't be par for the course as the Ellett sisters, Taylor and Connie tee off the 2008 campaign looking to lead the Hampshire girls golf program to success under the guidance of their head coach and mother Sue Ellett.

Taylor began her stint with the Whips as a freshman last season, quickly leaving her mark in the Whip-Pur history books helping the team to a program first win on September 5. She was backed by career best rounds from teammates Tina Tuminaro, Jessie Van Dorin and Taylor Zilch.

Just one month and five days later, Taylor Ellett would become the first female golfer at Hampshire to earn an IHSA state meet berth after posting an 86 in the Class A sectional round held at Prairie View.

The feat potentially marked the first time the daughter of a former state qualifier has made state. Sue Ellett (then Sisler) took ninth in the state tournament for Dundee-Crown in 1984.

This season, younger sister Connie Ellet joins the mother-daughter duo at Hampshire with aspirations of chipping away at new historical milestones.

"We are all big golfers," said Sue of herself, Taylor, Connie and husband/dad Doug.

"It is just a way of life for us right now."

And it has been for some time.

Both girls picked up a set of clubs at a very young age following in the footsteps of their parents, and both quickly displayed a similar passion for the game of golf.

Sue started playing at the age of 12 and her stint on the Dundee-Crown girl's golf team preceded a roster spot on the team at Northern Illinois University. Doug began golfing when he was eight years old and spent his collegiate years competing with Elmhurst College.

And truth be told, Sue and Doug Ellett did add a twist to their teachings rather than simply mimic what they had learned.

"With the girls, we started on the green and worked backward," Sue explained. "When you are just beginning, it could take 20 swings to get to the green and by then you are just frustrated at a young age. We managed to avoid that. The girls did have the same upbringing when it comes to how to take golf shots which enables them to help one another a lot."

The family foursome can often be found braving the environmentally protected wetlands and lush bentgrass fairway sand greens of Blackstone Golf Club, meandering through some of the most distinctive natural landscape of any course in the Chicagoland area during the off-season.

"Golf is a family activity that I never get tired of," said Taylor. "It is really fun, and I love every minute of it. I don't know what I would do if I didn't golf with my family.

That being said, little sister Connie is a welcome addition to the Whip-Pur roster in Taylor's eyes.

"I'm really excited to have Connie play at Hampshire," Taylor said. "She's going to make the team better. She has worked very hard, and she will only help the program."

Connie joins the team fresh off a successful summer spell having recently earned McHenry County Junior Golf Association player of the year honors, the same honor Taylor was awarded in 2007.

Despite bringing a bevy of tournament experience, off-season knowledge, high accolades and achievements to the Whip-Pur roster as individuals, both Taylor and Connie remain humble only looking to better the team and themselves.

"It's nice to play as an individual because you have nobody to blame but yourself," said Connie. "I love the idea of playing with a team even more than as an individual because you can always help one another out. Taylor and I have always helped one another because our swings are a lot alike."

Taylor is also a team player.

"I really enjoy summer golf because it builds you up for the high school season, but I love playing with the team," said Taylor. "It is great to help everybody and not just yourself."

For Sue, coaching the phenom-esque pair is nothing new. However, the dynamic does change.

"I'm just a nervous mom on the sidelines," Sue said. "Doug and I do our coaching during the summer. This is just tweak time. At Hampshire, I'm looking at the complete team effort and not just at one or two girls. In the summer, the focus is on Connie and Taylor. At Hampshire it is the team first."

A proud parent, Sue is equally as impressed with her supporting cast this year. Coach Ellett expects big things from Tuminaro (junior) as well as sophomores Zilch and Van Dorin.

"We call Tina smiley," Sue explained. "She got a job at Blackstone over the summer and is already eight strokes better than last year. She has an incredible outlook on the game, and I am looking for a lot more consistency from her."

She is also pleased with newcomers Grace Jakubowski, Natalie Roe and Stephanie Herrmann.

"Grace has the potential to shoot extremely well," said Ellett. "All of these girls will see competitive action this year."

In addition to talent, cohesiveness will be a strength for the Whip-Pur lineup.

Successful teams often echo that teammates are like a family in the dugout, on the sidelines on the bench or on the course.

For Hampshire, it literally is. And that bond will undoubtedly be contagious.

"Take Michael Phelps swimming in the Olympics for example," said Sue. "He swam several events by himself, but look at how excited he got swimming in and winning the relay events. That is what we want at Hampshire."

Already, both Taylor and Connie admire their teammates and look forward to sharing the experience with them.

That being said, they are even willing to share mom.

"We don't mind sharing our mom because she is there to help everybody and make us all better as a team," said Taylor. "It's also great having her as the coach because she really cares about each of the girls and she cares about the program at Hampshire. There is a group of great girls here with a lot of talent, and we are all the same type of people so we get along great."

Connie is wasting no time fitting in.

"I like all of the girls on the team," said Connie. "They did well last year, and this year there is a lot of great talent. Our goal is to win a lot of matches."

Whatever the outcome, expectations are high and Hampshire shows promise of an exciting ride.

"Taylor made state last year and strives to get back," said Sue. "Connie was right there watching and got a taste of what it's like. For me, that was icing on the cake. I couldn't have drawn up a better freshman year for her. She put in a lot of work."

This year, Taylor comes in with a secret weapon.

"I wear a rubber band on my wrist that I got from my coach," said Taylor. "When I say something negative about myself I have to snap it because you should never say anything negative about yourself. I'm focusing on playing the best I can, helping my teammates and being more positive."

When she's not on the golf course, Taylor plays piano to relax and also loves musicals and school plays while Connie enjoys basketball and softball.

"They are two unique individuals," Sue said. "It is going to be neat to see them go out and be independent competitive kids. Seeing the two of them go out and execute is a great feeling for a parent. Watching the team go out and execute is a great feeling for a coach."

Around the area

Bartlett, South Elgin and Streamwood will converge on the golf course this season making up a powerful trifecta in the Upstate Eight under the new leadership of first year coach Tim Prendergast.

Junior Carly Schneider from Streamwood will lead the way. Having already competed at the Hoffman Estates Invitational, Schneider shot an 81 for second place honors.

"Carly has a ton of experience, and she is really talented," said Prendergast.

Schneider earned a bid to state last year competing in the St. Charles East sectional and finishing with an 87 to qualify.

From South Elgin, senior Andrea Masatro and Kaitlyn Boehne also tee off with some rounds behind them. Maestro is a 3-year player.

The big surprise will be freshman Sammy Coine of Bartlett, who despite youth earned a seventh-place overall finish at Hoffman Estates.

As a team, the co-op finished second overall among the 12 teams competing and came up just 1 stroke shy of championship honors.

When they are not competing on the road, the team competes at Bartlett Hills Golf Club.

"Coming in, I could see that we had a lot of talent, but I didn't know how we would match up against opponents," Prendergast said. "I'm quickly finding out that this team will be very competitive against anyone."

With four solid athletes who Prendergast expects will score well consistently, depth will be crucial to the team's success.

"Yes, it is an individual sport, but these girls love playing as a team," he said. "They couldn't have been happier holding that trophy together."

With program numbers on the rise, St. Edward could find itself deep into the postseason looking to repeat success from 2006 when the team went to state.

Junior Danielle Coffman is expected to lead the way already posting scores in the 30s. She is joined by juniors Erin Schneider, Carlie Wysocke and Jackie Pursel and senior Bailey Roth.

"Most of this team has experience at the sectional level," said coach Mike Lehman. "They all return with experience, and feel that we can do well."

According to Lehman, there is no question that several golfers are much improved. As a whole, the team is definitely hitting the ball farther and putting better.

"We're hoping to keep match averages in the 180-190 range," Lehman said. "Our ultimate goal is to make it back downstate which we did two years ago. We came up just shy last season."

St. Edward will split home course advantage at The Highlands of Elgin and Villa Olivia Golf Club.

At Jacobs, D.J. Venne returns to the helm for season three and what the Golden Eagles lack in experience, they more than make up for with desire.

"We're a very young team so the girls do need to gain experience, but there will undoubtedly be growth in the right direction," Venne said. "There is a lot of potential here."

Leading the way will be junior Maria Tamburrino.

"Maria is looking very consistent which was something she brought to the team last year as well," Venne said. "This year, her scores are improved and already she has posted a career-best."

Despite youth, Venne would like to see Jacobs advance beyond the regional level.

"These girls love the sport, and they always come to play," said Venne. "They all want to learn and get better."

Tamburrino is joined by senior Tara Birchfield and sophomores Morgan Harvey and Susan Piotrowski.

"This group always works together to help one another which is great to see as a coach."

Jacobs will play the bulk of their matches at the par 71 Randall Oaks Golf Club.

Also representing the Fox Valley, Dundee-Crown anticipates not only a solid 2008 campaign, but also a bright future. With three returns and six freshman aboard, the possibilities are endless.

Back in action will be juniors Julia Marquez and Adriana Isaia who are joined by the lone returning senior Katherine Hoelting.

The Cary-Grove/Crystal Lake co-op welcomes back returning athletes from both Crystal Lake South and Crystal Lake Central in Sarah Mieth (junior), Nicke Hupp (senior)and Audrey Edwards. New to the roster are Cary-Grove sophomores Michelle Shoch and Ashley Booth.

"We are going to miss our three girls who graduated last year," said coach Kathy Speaker. "We have a little experience coming back, but out success this season will be based on how fast our younger players can improve."

With 19 girls out this year, Burlington Central is posting program-best numbers in the girls golf arena for 2008. While longtime coach Deb Twenhafel admits that the Rockets will have to deal with Hampshire, she hardly hits the course empty-handed.

Junior Taylor Colby is the No. 1 for Burlington followed by mainstays Jordan Maisto (junior) and senior Nicole Brown.

"Taylor played a lot over the summer and is hitting the ball a ton," said Twenhafel. "Maisto is looking very strong as well."

In addition to the trio, Twenhafel expects key contributions from junior Sara Kling as well as freshmen newcomers Katie Cappas and Hannah Duffy.

"Sara is looking much improved from last season, and I have a feeling my freshmen are going to help us early and often," Twenhafel said.

Joining the attack will be seniors Allison Marach, Alexa Schafernak, Amy Green and Jackie Major along with juniors Samantha Kryger and Lauren Perucco.

"We're looking to see consistent improvements throughout the year. We are still young, and need time to get going."

Michelle Rosenheim takes over at the helm of the Elgin/Larkin co-op as the 2008 crusade gets under way, welcoming back three Larkin returnees in Kristin Chramowicz (junior), Marlee Gauthier (junior) and sophomore Brittany Stangemann.

"The girls say this is the year for them," Rosenheim said. "They tell me that in the past year, they have each bettered their scores by 20 strokes. Kristin is looking to qualify for sectionals."

Newcomer Julia Engen (sophomore) hopes to only add to the cores newfound success.

Playing home matches at The 71 Highlands of Elgin, Rosenheim simply looks for individual growth.

"I want the girls to personally improve on their individual games," she said. "I would like to see a lot of career bests."