Big Northern champ Hampshire truly plays as a team

Squaring up at the tee opposite the Hampshire girls golf program, opponents will quickly learn the Whip-Pur philosophy - "We're eight bodies, one heart."

Going into Wednesday's Big Northern Conference meet, the Whips were 15-1 overall and 8-0 in BNC play. It has become abundantly clear that this family affair extends well beyond head coach Sue Ellett and her daughters and No. 1-2 golfers Taylor and Connie Ellett. Despite finishing second in the BNC meet on Wednesday, the Whips did claim the overall conference championship.

The entire team works in unison - as one family unit.

"These girls love playing together," said Sue Ellett. "Everybody has really gotten into it. There is a family atmosphere here that goes beyond our girls on the course and encompasses great support from families, friends and fans alike."

En route to a 15-1 tally, each of Hampshire's eight bodies has recorded career best rounds in 2008.

Freshman Natalie Roe opened the season shooting in the 60s. She recently capped off a consistently shrinking average with a career best 47 at Beaver Creek in Harvard.

"Natalie lives and breathes golf," said Ellett. "She has worked extremely hard, and it has been incredible to see that hard work pay off."

Tina Tuminaro has been a remarkably consistent No. 3 for the Whips every match. Having shot in the upper 50s most of last season, Tuminaro has not only lowered her score several strokes, but her consistency has been key to Hampshire's success.

"Tina's range is small," said Ellett. "I can always count on just a few stroke differential from match to match."

Twelve months ago Jessie Van Dorin was shooting in the 80s, but after sinking an 18-foot put on the last hole at Orchard Valley Golf Course in Aurora, she nabbed a career best 49.

Connie Ellett's career best came viaa medalist round 34 at Green Tree in DeKalb, while Taylor recorded her career-best 36 at the Elgin Country Club.

When the Whips made history this year setting a new school record having shot a 169 versus Harvard, Grace Jakubowski helped them to the feat with her then career best round of 47. Since then, Jakubowski has gone on to outdo herself shooting a career-low 44 against Rockford Lutheran in a winning effort.

"Our depth has been second to nobody this year," said Ellett. "I couldn't have drawn up a better season for us.

"Heading into the postseason, we have already had an extremely successful golf season."

Following a recent bump to Class AA, Hampshire will look to carry regular-season success into the postseason as the Whips compete with the big dogs for the first time in program history.

The Whips are slated to join Burlington Central, East Moline United, Galesburg, Geneseo, LaSalle Peru, Moline, Ottawa, Rochelle, Rock Island Alleman, Rock Island, Sterling, Streator and Sycamore in the Moline regional at Indian Bluffs Golf Course in Milan on Wednesday.

"We always want to compete with the best anyway, so this bump will be a welcome challenge," said Ellett. "We're hoping to get to the Galesburg sectional as a team, and I think we have a great chance to do that out west."

With perhaps the area's finest 1-2 combinations in Taylor and Connie Ellett, as well as a bevy of depth and young talent, the sky is the limit for Hampshire.

"We're striving more for a number than a result," said Ellett. "I'd like to see the girls break the 380 barrier. It's going to be tough, but I'll tell you it's an electric atmosphere when these girls golf. There is a buzz around school for these girls."

Burlington Central: Burlington Central will also travel out to Indian Bluffs Golf Course for the Class AA Moline regional looking for leadership from No. 1 golfer Taylor Colby.

Colby is averaging a team-best 44 this year, and is the only Rocket team member to have competed at Indian Bluffs prior to the Wednesday regional.

"Taylor knows the course, but she doesn't love it," said coach Deb Twenhafel. "Still, experience should help her and she has been doing an excellent job for us all season."

The Rockets would like to see both Colby and Jordan Maisto advance beyond the regional.

At 4-4 overall and 4-3 in Big Northern Conference play, Twenhafel has been extremely pleased with what her team has done to date. With one senior, three juniors and two freshman, the future looks excellent for Burlington.

Freshmen Katie Cappas and Alex Schafernak have already added to the program's success.

"Alex has dropped her scores ten strokes already," Twenhafel said. "I'm seeing a ton of progress and improvements throughout the lineup and we have an excellent future here."

Class A regionals: Having a great season overall at 7-3, St. Edward will host the Class A regional Wednesday at The Highlands of Elgin.

Both Erin Schneider and Danielle Coffman have consistently led the Green Wave push all year.

"Danielle has been a medalist for us quite a few times," noted coach Mike Lehman. "Erin had also done an excellent job."

Boasting a very young squad, Lehman has seen expectations exceeded up to this point.

"This entire year has been a highlight," Lehman said. "The girls have been so consistent. I couldn't have asked for more."

According to Lehman sophomores Kelsey Richmond and Brittania Schreurs have added depth to the roster which he hopes can help the Green Wave to a regional title.

"Kelsey has been a very welcome addition," Lehman said. "Everybody is helping this team in different ways. We will try to qualify for state as a team."

St. Edward made state as a team just two years ago and according to Lehman, the Green Wave is shooting much better overall numbers this year.

"We hope to take care of business at regionals first, and move on from there," said Lehman. "Indian Creek is always a challenge and Westmont is strong too, but we all shoot around the same numbers."

Elgin/Larkin update: With the loss of one golfer a few weeks back, the Elgin/Larkin co-op has been unable to compete as a team. Still, the three remaining athletes are giving it all they've got.

"The girls we do have competing here have each improved a great deal which is what we hoped for," said coach Michelle Rosenheim.

Sophomores Brittany Stangmann and Julia Engen remain as well as Kristin Chramowicz.

"Brittany has completely turned around her chip shots and short game," said Rosenheim. "She has done an awesome job."

Chramowicz shot a career best 91 this season playing 18 holes at The Highlands of Elgin.

"Kristin has only been golfing two years, and she is getting stronger with each match," Rosenheim said. "Julia is looking great as well. She is driving the ball a ton."

Elgin/Larkin will head out to Prairie Isle Golf Course in Crystal Lake on Wednesday to contend with Jacobs, Barrington, Dundee-Crown, Prairie Ridge, Conant, Hoffman Estates, McHenry, Lake Park, Schaumburg, South Elgin and Marian Central in the Class AA Prairie Ridge regional.

"We cannot qualify as a team, but I think Kristin has a shot," said Rosenheim. "It will be the first time at this course for each of our girls, but they are excited to compete."

Also at Prairie Isle: The Bartlett/Streamwood/South Elgin co-op will also compete in the PR regional Wednesday. The co-op has been strong all season led by junior Carly Schneider. The co-op has shown a ton of depth as Schneider, Sam Coyne, Andera Mastro and Kaitlyn Boehne have each been consistently in the 40s or lower. Just a freshman, Coyne has been both a pleasant surprise and a very welcome addition to the co-op's game plan.

Jacobs will be in attendance looking to build off some season-highs, which have shifted the momentum in the right direction. Facing McHenry at Boone Creek, the Golden Eagles posted a 198, which marks the best score the program has seen in at least three years.

"Maria Tamburrino has carried the best average for us this season," noted coach D.J. Venne. "Her consistency has been a huge help."

Like many area opponents at the PR regional, Jacobs (5-5, 3-3) has seen each of its athletes nab career bests during the regular season - Tamburrino with a 44, Morgan Harvey with a 46, Ashley Morales with a 47 and Tara Birchfield with a personal best 48.

"The girls have been outstanding," said Venne. "I was hoping to see improvements this year and each of these girls was able to meet my expectations."

Venne does hope to see his team advance, and should they miss the cut, he'd like to see one or two girls get out.

"We would like to compete as a team beyond the regional," Venne said. "We would have to play lights out."