Patriot golfers primed for more

Summer tournaments, practicing in the Buffalo Grove Dome during the winter months and taking lessons together have added up to help Stevenson's girls golf team become the most promising in school history.

For the first time, the Patriots have reached a level where they are considered one of the top teams in the state.

Over the last few years, the Patriots have steadily improved at the regional, sectional and state level. Last October, Stevenson had its best finish in school history with a 10th-place effort.

And going into this fall, Stevenson is ready to move up, with a solid group of players leading the way for a return trip to the final meet of the year.

"We've got a core of underclassmen that have worked hard all summer on their game," Stevenson coach Andrew Conneen said. "It should help the program not only for this year, but for years to come.

"It has given the team phenomenal potential."

Kaitlin Garske, a junior, fired a 79 in the opening invitational at Prospect this week and Jennifer Gorman, a sophomore, returns after shooting 83 at the state meet last year.

The rest of the Patriots' competitive group consists of seniors, Melissa Goldberg, Erin Moreau and Whitney Paul, along with juniors, Alex Kessler (varsity gymnast) and Angelina Kim.

So, how did Stevenson put together this talented group of golfers?

"Our goal was to get the program to a certain point, where the kids played in summer tournaments and worked on their game," Conneen said. "Most girls can shoot in the 70s on any given day.

One of our other goals is to make it back downstate, but it is difficult because of the select schools that make it. I believe we can be one of those schools again this year."

The Patriots' home course is difficult: Crane's Landing at the Marriott in Lincolnshire.

But the team as a whole competes at a very high level, which helps keep every individual improving.

"The team is always good and picks each other up," Garske said. "Even at tryouts (last week) we were all within 1 shot of another. Being No. 1, it switches every day, and it really helps to fight for the spot."

The Patriots have a target in mind for the end of the season, and a clear vision of what lies ahead for them.

"We want to be better than last year," Gorman said. "Everybody has worked to improve."