Barrington's Muskat extends tradition of excellence

Kelly Muskat sure has had to follow in some big family footsteps.

Her grandmother Florence was a club champion at Rolling Green in Arlington Heights and collected 5 holes-in-one.

Kelly's great grandmother Edna was a 13-time club champion at Rolling Green.

Kelly's father Wally was an all-conference golfer for Barrington High School.

But Kelly has made sure to keep the Muskat golf tradition alive and well.

The Barrington senior golfer has established herself as one of the best players in the Mid-Suburban League and she'll play a key role as the Fillies try to win the league title this fall for the 12th time in coach Jodi Schoeck's 24-year career.

Muskat opened her senior year in splendid fashion, firing a career-best 72 in Tuesday's Barrington Invite at Bonnie Dundee Golf Course in Carpentersville.

Muskat was just 1 stroke shy of the school record set by Pam Buff in 1996.

Muskat won two Illinois Junior Golf Association events this summer and ranked third of 161 girls in the IJGA POY rankings.

She shot the first hole-in-one of her career in the Purdue Invitational on Purdue's Kampen Course and was Illinois Junior Match Play runner-up, qualifying with a 75 and losing in the final match 3 and 2.

So where does the 6-foot-1 senior, who also plays basketball for coach Babbi Barreiro, get her golf expertise?

"The women in our family have always been the real golfers," she says with a smile. "My great grandmother played golf until she was 95.

"My grandmother (Wally's mother) is a great golfer and loves the game like I do. She was the first person I called when I had my hole-in-one this summer. She was so excited and kind not to remind me that she has recorded five holes in one. So it looks like I have some more work to catch Mum Mum."

Kelly began golfing at the age of 7 with her father.

"I was fortunate enough to play golf at Crystal Lake CC and head pro Casey Brozek has been my only instructor," Kelly said. "Casey teaches the game by the book. No shortcuts. Golf is a game of decisions."

Much of Muskat's lesson-time with Brozek is spent working on decision-making and managing the golf course.

"I could not be the player I am today without Casey's help," said the honor roll student.

With several hours of work on the course this summer, Muskat's scores improved from the 80s last year to the 70s.

"I really feel like my best golf is still ahead of me," she said.

Muskat is excited to be the captain for Schoeck, who was recently selected as a national high school girls "Coach of the Year" and was inducted into the Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006.

"I have been lucky to have Jodi Schoeck as my coach," Muskat said. "Coach Schoeck really cares about the girls and makes the experience memorable. I love spending time with my teammates both on and off the course."

Schoeck loves the work ethic of Muskat.

"She has the drive, determination and attitude I wish every golfer possessed," Schoeck said. "She is a tireless worker when it comes to working on her golf game. She understands the mechanics and the mental part of the game."

Muskat tied for 10th (87) at last year's conference meet when the Fillies placed second behind Prospect at the Schaumburg Golf Course.

"Kelly is a great team leader and leads by example.," Schoeck said. "The girls on the team will learn many things by watching Kelly day in and day out. She plays with integrity, she shows great sportsmanship on and off the course,"

Muskat would love to be a conference medalist this fall and compete in the state tournament with her team.

"Kelly is mentally tough and she has the intelligence and desire that it takes to excel in this difficult sport," Schoeck said. "All these traits will help her as she moves through her fourth year as a Barrington Fillie and as she prepares for college golf."

Muskat said it will be sad to leave Barrington.

"I really love Barrington and enjoy my school so it's a little sad to think it's going to be over so quickly," she said. "When I travel to tournaments people usually tell me two things. They say I am lucky to go to Barrington and even luckier to be playing for coach Schoeck. Hopefully, I can play well this fall but either way I will leave with great memories and no regrets."