Saints' Niemiec chooses Bradley

Chris Niemiec picked the right moment to showcase his talents in Peoria last fall.

The two-time boys golf state qualifier won top individual honors at the 27-team invitational hosted by Bartonville Limestone and caught the eyes of some interested spectators.

"It was the first tournament of the (high school) season," the St. Charles East senior said. "The scouts from Bradley saw me, and I ended up winning the tournament by 3 strokes. I had a really good summer (in 2007 on the Illinois Junior Golf Association circuit), and it got me on the board (for college recruitment)."

Niemiec, who plans on majoring in business, will attend Bradley University in Peoria on a partial golf scholarship beginning in the fall.

"I visited the school," Niemiec said. "I liked the campus, I liked the coach (Jeff Roche)."

Niemiec had drawn interest from several smaller schools, Divisions II and III, but the chance to compete at the highest level was instrumental.

"The team is kind of young, so I figured we could pick up some experience and make it to nationals," Niemiec said.

Niemiec qualified for the Class AA tournament as a sophomore and returned to Bloomington last fall as an at-large qualifier in the inaugural Class 3A tournament.

Prior to entering college, Niemiec will return to the summer amateur circuit.

"I'm not going to do as many tournaments, but I'm still going to do quite a few," Niemiec said.

Niemiec calls Eagle Brook in Geneva his home course, and another local product, Marmion senior Luke Kolquist, is off to Division I Butler next fall.

"I still have a chance at some scholarship money," Kolquist said. "It is so hard to get a scholarship in (Division I) golf. Each team only has four and a half (scholarships). If I do get into the top five, I'll get more than half of my (tuition) paid for."

Kolquist was the top player for Marmion, which dominated the Suburban Catholic Conference the last two years.

"(Kolquist) was an extremely valuable person for us and he will be sorely missed," Marmion coach Jen Konen said. "He his only going to get better. It's hard to fill Luke Kolquist's shoes as an all-around person."