Fremd's Voigt headed for Valparaiso
Kelly Voigt, a success with either a golf club or softball bat in her hands, has chosen golf as the sport she will play in college.
She'll do it at the Division I level.
Voigt has signed a letter of intent to play for Valparaiso University, which featured its first women's golf team this past fall.
The Fremd senior is a four-time IHSA girls golf sectional qualifier and a state qualifier this fall.
She is also an all-area third baseman for coach Jim Weaver's softball team which took third place in the Class 4A tourney last spring.
"I am so excited to play Division 1 golf," Voigt said. "It's always been both a dream and goal of mine to play Division 1. I knew that if I wanted to play at that level I would have to work really hard. I am so excited to play for the Crusaders next fall."
Voigt is a two-time MVP award winner at Fremd and participated in the PING Junior Solheim Cup Junior-Am this past August, playing with some of the best junior players in the United States and Europe
She shot 2-over par 77 at the Buffalo Grove sectional this fall for a second-place finish behind eventual Class 4A state champ Kris Yoo of Conant.
In August, Voigt shot 70 at the IJGA Southwest Junior Open in Frankfort, Il.
"Kelly is an incredible athlete with the ability to make a huge impact at the Division I level," said Fremd girls golf coach Christine Vlaming, who also assists the varsity softball team. "Kelly continues to improve her overall game and I know she will continue to develop as she moves onto the next level."
Voigt devotes her free time to giving dog prevention presentations to children for Prevent The Bite, a nonprofit organization which she helped start in 2000, one year after being attacked by a dog and suffering injuries.
Voigt visited several colleges but decided on Valparaiso.
"I really liked the school and the golf program." she said. "Coach (Mike) Higdon will be a great coach, and team's home course (The Course at Aberdeen) is one of the most beautiful golf courses I've ever seen."
Voigt is one of three high school players to recently sign a letter of intent for Valparaiso.
"Kelly has done many things both on and off the course to ensure she is going to continue the growth of our women's program," Higdon said.
"She has had many strong finishes over the summer, including shooting under par in a couple of tournaments. I am excited to see her elevate her golf game when she commits fully to golf."
Voigt looks forward to joining a second-year program.
"I thought it would be a great experience to get in at the ground level of their golf program," Voigt added. "Valparaiso University is an excellent school and I am very fortunate to have this opportunity."
"Kelly will be fun to follow in the years to come," Vlaming added. "I am so proud of her."