Girls golf: Northwest preview
Top golfers: Barrington: Kelly Muskat (Sr.), Casey Hahn (Sr.), Laura Palarz (Sr.), Sammy Carman (Jr.); Buffalo Grove: Grace Kil (So.), KC Dunne (Sr.); Fremd: Madison Zyer (Jr.), Christiana Kim (Jr.), Angie Kim (So.); Conant: Jackie Halden (So.), Alex Swezey (Jr.); Elk Grove: Rachel Kaim (Sr.); Hersey: Megan Rogowski (Sr.), Nikki Gierman (Jr.), Alex Caputo (Sr.), Katie McIlree (So.), Claire Schwaba (Fr.), Hoffman Estates: Nikki Callahan (Fr.); Maine West: Krystina Cook (Sr.), Kelly Farnan (Sr.); Palatine: Alexis Bauer (Sr.), Kristin Schmidt (Sr.), Lisa Tomlinson (Sr.), June Kim (Sr.); Prospect: Christine Garmoe (Jr.), Allison Walsh (Jr.), Rachel Lawless (Sr.), Emily Mick (Sr.); Rolling Meadows: Emily Stewart (Sr.), Taryn Hampton (Sr.), Lauren Cerza (Jr.); Schaumburg: Bree Wozniarski (So.), Deme Walls (Jr.), Emily Santucci (So.), St. Viator: Jill Hayworth (Sr.), Amy Stringfellow (So.), Molly McMahon (Jr.), Molly O'Keeffe (Jr.); Wheeling: Cassi Rothbart (Jr.), Jackie Resnick (So.), Kaitlyn DeBusk (So.).
Last year's Mid-Suburban League champ: Prospect took first place in the 2009 MSL Conference Tournament at the Schaumburg Golf Course with a score of 324. The Knights were followed by Barrington (338), Fremd (365), Hersey (371), Buffalo Grove (373), Conant (373), Rolling Meadows (402), Palatine (406), Wheeling (421), Schaumburg (449), Hoffman Estates (493) and Elk Grove (527). This year's MSL meet will be hosted by Wheeling at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling.
Back from the top 15: Nine golfers who finished in the top 15 at the MSL meet are back this fall: Buffalo Grove sophomore Grace Kil (76, tie for third), Prospect junior Christine Garmoe (81, tie for fifth), Prospect senior Rachel Lawless (84, tie for seventh), Barrington senior Kelly Muskat (87, tie for 10th), Hersey senior Megan Rogowski (87, tie for 10th), Buffalo Grove senior KC Dunne (89, tie for 13th), Fremd junior Madison Zyer (89, tie for 13th), Elk Grove senior Rachel Kaim (90, tie for 15th), Prospect junior Allison Walsh (90, tie for 15th).
New leader for Cougars: Former Barrington and Illinois Wesleyan golf player Megan Teschner is the new coach at Conant, replacing veteran Diana Johanneson, who stepped down from the post last fall after guiding Kris Yoo to back-to-back state crowns. Teschner played golf her senior year for Barrington Hall of Fame coach Jodi Schoeck after three years of playing volleyball. She was also a basketball and track and field performer at Barrington. Teschner was a member of four straight conference championship teams at Wesleyan, including two national-tourney qualifiers. Teschner, a math teacher, is assisted by Tammy Graeme, who was an assistant at Barrington when Teschner played for the Fillies.
Three in a row?: Prospect is shooting for its third straight MSL crown under coach Jim Hamman, who is in his sixth season. The Knights were also regional champs in 2006. Hamann's teams have gone 78-9 in non-invitational meets (quads, tri and dual meets) and the coach has produced five individual state qualifiers. Seven grads have played collegiate golf. Prospect broke the 18-hole school record in 2006 and 2007) and the 9-hole record in 2007. "I am very proud of the improvements that all of our players have shown this summer," Hamann said. "The kids have been very coachable and have shown a high motivation for improvement. The kids have gained valuable experience in tournaments and practices. We are also very excited about our talented group of freshmen coming in. We have a fantastic group of kids. They are all excited to get started." In winning their second straight MSL crown a year ago at Schaumburg Golf Club, the Knights were led by Karly Grouwinkel (second place with a 75), Christine Garmoe (fifth with 81), Terese Geraghty and Rachel Lawless (tied for 7th with an 84), Ellie Tixier (tied for 10th with an 87) and Allison Walsh (tied for 15th at 90).
Off to college: The MSL sent three players to play in the Big Ten this fall - Conant's Kris Yoo (Wisconsin), Barrington's Taylor Quinn (Minnesota) and Prospect's Karly Grouwinkel (Iowa). "I believe that the MSL girls golf conference is one of the top conferences in the state," said Prospect coach Jim Hamann. "We have a ton of good players and 12 talented coaches." Barrington senior golfer Kelly Muskat, one of the top golfers in the area this summer, would love to continue her golf career in the collegiate ranks. "I don't think most people realize how competitive girls golf has become," she said. "Every year the level of play gets better. It's not uncommon to see scores in the low 70s and 240-yard drives. I worked hard this summer to achieve this." Muskat often spent six to seven hours a day playing or practicing. "To score in the 70s you must have a complete game," she said "To get there you need time in the gym, a good instructor, and experience in tournament play."
Basketball star a golfer, too: It's no secret Megan Rogowski is one of the top basketball players in the area. She spent the majority of the summer working at her hoops skill and espn.com suggested that she was one of the best shooters in the country while playing for the Illinois Hustle Red team. But Rogowski can make some nice shots on the golf course, too. She showed that in Monday's Early Bird Invite at Fox Run Golf Club when she shot a 79 to finish in a four-way tie for second in the 14-team event. "It's exciting to see how hard she still works at golf for as busy as she is with basketball," said Hersey coach Bob Murphy. "She worked real hard at golf in June and she proved that in the Early Bird Invite." Rogowski's 79 was the second-best in school history dating to the school record of 77 in 1977. Rogowski is also tied for the school record for 9 holes with a 36.
New state course: The IHSA has moved the state tournament (Oct. 15-16) from Carbondale to Decatur this fall. The Class A will be played at Red Trail Run Golf Course in Decatur while the AA will be hosted by Hickory Point Golf Course in nearby Forsyth. "I think the IHSA made a great decision moving the state finals from Carbondale to Decatur," said Prospect coach Jim Hamann. "The community and golf courses in Carbondale were fantastic, but Decatur is a much better location." Hamann believes Hickory Point is a much more neutral golf course for all teams because of its location. "The golf course at Hickory Point is very fair and fun to play," he added. "Hickory Point has a lot of experience in hosting big tournaments." Hickory Point hosts a Women's Futures Tour event every summer. "Red Tail Run is a very fun course to play as well," Hamann said. "In addition I think hosting in Decatur will allow a lot more parents, friends, athletic directors, principals, and media to attend, which is important to the kids and their families. I think it will be a great state finals."
The dean of the MSL: Barrington Hall of Fame coach Jodi Schoeck begins her 24th season. She was named a 2009 National High School Coach of the Year. Schoeck has guided the Fillies to 11 MSL titles, 12 IHSA regional titles and nine appearances in the state finals, including a third place in 1996. Kelly Muskat, Casey Hahn and Laura Palarz will captain this year's team while junior Sammy Carman also has experience. "Those four have played countless tournaments this summer and know from experience just how tough the season can be," Schoeck said. "They are tournament-tested and tough competitors. The team's goal is to remain in the top of the conference and to come out of the regional tournament playing great golf in anticipation of sectionals and state."
BG tandem back: Grace Kil and KC Dunne, who made the top 15 at last year's MSL meet, return for BG coach Matt Myers. Dunne is a three-sport athlete, who also plays basketball and softball. She has verbally committed to Western Illinois for softball. As a freshman, Kil tied for third in the conference meet with a 76 while Dunne tied for 13th with an 89. "Grace worked on a few things over the summer to make her better than she was last fall, and you could even see that on our first day of practice," Myers said. "She has goals she would like to accomplish and hopefully that will happen. KC is a great athlete who could end up with 12 letters."
Swan song: This fall marks the final season Fred Bryant will coach the Hoffman Estates girls varsity golf team. He has run the program for 19 years and has been a member of the school's business department for 35 years. The former head boys basketball coach is retiring after the school year. "I don't know what I'm going to do but I'm definitely stepping away from education," said Bryant, who played basketball at West Aurora High School. "I may try something different but I definitely do like coaching."