Scouting: Girls golf in the Fox Valley
Aurora Central Catholic ChargersCoach: Mark Schwartz
Home course: Phillips Park
Conference: Metro Suburban
Top returning golfers: Senior Kaitlyn Alicz, junior Maggie Gaspardo, sophomore Josie Alm
Outlook: The Chargers have five players on the varsity this season. "Our team is small," said Schwartz. "Nonetheless, we're young with Kaitlyn as our only senior. She quietly provides solid leadership and has multiple year's experience in the state tournament." Schwartz said a player to watch as well is Alm. "Absolutely watch Josie, who at such a young age already possesses the poise, maturity and swing skill set to shake up not only the daily conference matchups, but also play high in the regional tournament this October." Gaspardo also has taken a step forward. "Maggie is vastly improved," said Schwartz. "She has been a pleasant surprise. She has a sound swing and posted solid tryout round and practice-round scores. She's also a good leader." Schwartz said the team has a long-range season goal of advancing to sectionals as a team. "This group is a pleasure to coach," he said. "They are dedicated, focused and they are a tight-knit team that supports one another so amiably. They offer each other golfing advice, encourage each other on and off the course and are willing to learn from the coaching staff. They take criticism so well and maturely, and do what it takes to tweak even the slightest facet of their respective games. They are excited to compete. To these five players, golf is not a hobby. They want to win and have fun in the process. They want to make girls golf at ACC a big deal and they promote the program they love for those young girls who may become future Chargers."
Batavia BulldogsCoach: Tim Kauffmann
Home course: Pheasant Run
Conference: Upstate Eight
2016 finish: 4th UEC
Top returning golfers: Senior Madison McCoy, juniors Cassandra Norville, Samantha Hasemann
Key newcomers: Junior Reagan Freebourn, sophomore Lauren Grychowski
Outlook: Batavia has no shortage of experience this season. "We are very upperclassmen-heavy. We have a ton of varsity experience," said Kauffmann. "Six out of the eight girls on the varsity have competed in a varsity match or tournament coming into the year so most of the girls know what it takes to play at this level. We also have six or so girls who can shoot in the high 30s on any given day, which is exciting to have." Competition levels are high on the team. "The girls want to win," said Kauffmann. "They all are about competing against each other in practice because they all hate to lose. With that being said, I know every day I will get the best from my girls and they always will come to play." Freebourn has moved from JV last year to the varsity starting lineup. "Reagan has surprised me this year. She worked hard in the offseason and has a lot of potential this year," said Kauffmann. Senior Samantha Wicks also will help the Bulldogs. "Samantha can hit the ball a mile," the coach added. "She has worked on her short game from 100 yards-in and it shows. If she can get her short game on, she will post low scores." Kauffmann said Batavia would like to be in the conversation concerning the conference title. "Obviously our overall goal is to win conference," he said. "I think we can compete with all the schools in the conference and make a run at it this year. St. Charles North and East will be solid along with Geneva so it will be tough to do, but I know our girls will compete."
Burlington Central RocketsCoach: Kyle Nelson (3rd season)
Home course: Sycamore Golf Club
Conference: Kishwaukee River
2016 finish: 2nd place KRC
Top returning golfers: Senior Carli Niesel, juniors Sydney Killeen, Brianna Benjamin
Outlook: Benjamin and Killeen finished in the top 10 in Class 2A regional play last year. "We should have good depth and be able to post four-to-six scores under 50 each meet," said Nelson. "Their work ethic is outstanding. They are learning how to practice so that their practice translates to the course. Nelson said Killeen and Benjamin have been hard at work during the off-season. "Sydney and Brianna have spent a ton of time improving this offseason and put up some good numbers late in the summer," the coach said. Central was second in the Kishwaukee River Conference a year ago. "We would like to be able to win conference and get as many girls through to sectionals as possible."
Crystal Lake Co-OpCoach: Kyle McCaughn (3rd season)
Home course: Turnberry Country Club
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 finish: FVC champions
Top returning golfers: Senior Rylie Schurter (CL Central), junior Arden Podpora (CL Central), Emily Mueller (Cary-Grove), sophomores Molly Lyne (Cary-Grove), Kat Bevill (CL Central), Bernadette King (CL Central), Caitlyn Ullrick (CL Central)
Key newcomers: Juniors Madson Mueller (CL South), Hannah Fisher (CL South), freshmen Renata Petersen (CL Central), Abby Rubsam (CL South), Janelle Lynn (Cary-Grove), Nevin Runge (CL Central)
Outlook: The Crystal Lake District 155 co-op team returns four of its top 5 golfers from last year, including Lyne who placed third in the state last year. Lyne, Bevill and Schurter were all-conference selections in 2016. Those three give Crystal Lake an impressive top-of-the-lineup scoring punch. "These girls have experience, a true love for the game and each other," said McCaughn. "What I like is their true and sincere care for each other. We're looking for another successful season in the FVC. Our goals are to continue the proud tradition that is Crystal Lake Central girls golf."
Dundee-Crown ChargersCoaches: Laurie Herb, Emma Ageneau
Home course: Bonnie Dundee
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 finish: 6th FVC
Top returning golfers: Senior Mia Smiley, juniors Alyssa Trebat, Hannah Gestrich
Outlook: Trebat is a returning FVC tournament medalist, while Gestrich medaled in two matches last year. "We had five wins last season and are looking to build on that this season," said Herb. "We are excited to see what our returning players will do this season." Trebat shot a 45 in a recent match against St. Edward at Bonnie Dundee. She also shot a 43 in a dual against Rolling Meadows at Bonnie.
Geneva VikingsCoach: Doug Ross
Home course: Mill Creek
Conference: Upstate Eight
2016 finish: Fourth Upstate Eight; Sectional qualifier
Top returning golfers: Seniors Darby Lillibridge, Kristen Henrie, sophomore Avery Frick
Outlook: Lillibridge is a returning state qualifier from a year ago. "Darby is doing very well," said Ross. "She is well ahead of where she was last year." Lillibridge took second at the Plainfield North invitational earlier this week, shooting 3-over par. Lillibridge and Henrie are the team captains. "We will be looking for leadership out of those seniors," said Ross. The coach noted the Vikings' goal is to improve upon last year's postseason finishes. "We took fourth in conference last year and we want to improve our position there," said Ross. "We're always looking to improve. We'll see how quickly we can bring the scores down." Geneva opened conference play with a win over West Chicago where Lillibridge was the meet medalist.
Hampshire Whip-PursCoach: Sue Ellett (2nd year, 7th overall)
Home course: Randall Oaks
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 finish: None (JV team a year ago)
Top returning golfers: Senior Sydney Marcuccilli, juniors Jade Swanson, Alyssa Tirado, sophomores Gianna Farinella, Delaney Marcuccilli
Outlook: Hampshire is back in business at the varsity level after competing as a JV team last season. The Whip-Purs have 10 new players in the program, all sophomores and freshmen. "The hope is they develop within our JV program to compete for a varsity position next season," said Ellett, whose daughter, Taylor, a former standout at Hampshire and Northern Illinois University, is the team's assistant coach. On the flip side, Hampshire's top 5 players have a full season of experience. "Gianna, Delaney and Alyssa have played in summer tournaments or taken lessons," said Ellett. "The group is eager to learn, respectful, hardworking and they are smart young ladies." Farinella and Swanson are two players in particular who have caught Ellett's eye in the early going. "They have the best fundamentals on the team, they are competitive and are great role models for the underclassmen," she said. Ellett added the team's goals all revolve around continued improvement and being a team player. "We hope to continue to grow the program, to win a conference match, to keep big numbers off the scorecard, to support each other by being great teammates and to continue to improve as individual players and as a team."
Huntley Red RaidersCoach: Ann Christiansen
Home course: Pinecrest
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 finish: 5th place FVC
Top returning players: Seniors Katie Weidner, Maggie Matustik, Sarah Glass, sophomore Katie Matustik
Key newcomers: Freshmen Molly Baker, Nina Shaffer
Outlook: Huntley graduated three seniors from last year's squad that took fifth in the Fox Valley Conference. Christiansen has high hopes for Wiedner in particular. "Katie is a good player," said Christiansen. Baker and Shaffer also have drawn praise. "Molly and Nina I think will be very good players," said Christiansen. "They are shooting in the high 40s as freshmen." Huntley kicks off conference play Monday against Hampshire. "We'll see how it goes from there," said Christiansen. "They have been working on their putting and short games. It's a very good group of girls to work with."
Jacobs Golden EaglesCoach: Megan Placko (7th season)
Home course: Randall Oaks
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 finish: 3rd place FVC
Top returning golfers: Sophomores Lauren Kempf, Roslyn Leitner
Key newcomer: Freshman Jordan Miller
Outlook: Youth is the name of the game this season for the Golden Eagles. "We are a very young team that is looking to grow this season," said Placko. "All the girls are working really hard to improve each of their individual games. We have a great group of girls that want to improve their games. As a coach, this is what you want. It's exciting to see their drive and determination." Kempf and Leitner are the varsity elder-statesmen for Jacobs this season as 10th graders. "Lauren and Roslyn played their way into varsity last year as freshmen and learned so much from last year's experience. They have so much more confidence this year. I'm excited to see what they can do."
Rosary RoyalsCoach: Joe Hughes (5th season, 11th season in program)
Home course: Valley Green
2016 finish: 6-2 duals
Top returning golfers: Seniors Catherine Oros, Gabby de Guzman, Megan Whitmer, juniors Jackie Daum, Jenna Kleefisch
Key newcomers: Freshman Ashley Auchstetter
Outlook: Hughes loves the senior leadership the team receives from Oros, de Guzman and Whitmer. "We also have some good talent with Ashley, Jackie and junior Sarah Borish," he said. "We have a lot of players who have the talent to break through this season. We have 10 players capable of starting on our varsity at some point in the season. It's a very hardworking group that loves the game and loves to compete."
St. Charles East SaintsCoach: Rod Osborne
Conference: Upstate Eight
Top returning golfers: Seniors Nicole Jordan, Riley Sullivan, Grace Westerhoff
Key newcomers: Juniors Haley York, Elizabeth Watson, sophomore Paige Breslin, freshman Sarah Podjasek
Outlook: Jordan and Sullivan are returning all-conference players from a 2016 team that qualified for the Class 2A state finals tournament and finished 12th. "Senior leadership will be the biggest strength this year," said Osborne. "All three seniors have state finals experience. This team has a great work ethic, get along with each other really well and are easy to coach. Our goal this season is to improve throughout the season and save our best performances for the end of the year."
St. Charles North North StarsCoach: Irish Whalen
Home course: Royal Hawk
Conference: Upstate Eight
2016 finish: UEC champions
Top returning golfers: Juniors Megan Furtney, Emma Hayes, Sarah Arnold, Katelyn David.
Key newcomers: Sophomores Brooke Bayless, Kristen Dohner, Kendall DePaul, freshman Isabella Spinazze
Outlook: The North Stars finished fourth in the state last year and return many key performers. Furtney took ninth in Class AA and has verbally committed to Duke. As of last week, she was sidelined with a finger injury. "We are hopeful she will be back soon," said Whalen. Furtney had six 18-hole tournament wins last year. Arnold had six 6 top 10 finishes last year and Hayes had four. Furtney, Hayes and Arnold averaged in the high 30s for 9 holes last year. Bayless played No. 1 for the JV team in 2016. "Our team's strength is our experience," said Whalen. "Four of our top six returners are varsity returners. I am really excited to see where the junior class with take us through their leadership and determination. I couldn't ask for better kids to lead the way. They have a way of pushing each other to be the best they can be. I have great kids who love to compete and have a lot of fun on the golf course." David opened the season shooting 76 in an 18-hole tournament, while Hayes and Arnold each shot 77.
St. Edward Green WaveCoach: Chris Jones (2nd season)
Home Course: Wing Park
Conference: Metro Suburban
Top returning golfers: Seniors Jordan Mattas, Katie Maloney
Outlook: Mattas, a team captain, won the individual conference title last year and was a sectional qualifier. "Jordan is looking to put the exclamation point on her high-school career with a state-qualifying season along with her eye on making top finishes in competition," said Jones. Mattas, Maloney and junior Briannalynne Schreurs give the Green Wave a strong upper part of the scorecard. "Our strength is our motivation to improve upon last season," said Jones. "This is the first season the team has had a returning coach and six returning members. This year we will graduate three of our top 4 players so there is a strong motivation to finish strongly and finish on a high note for not only the seniors, but for the team." Jones added resilience is a key trait of this current group. "No matter the challenge or adversity this group faces, they make the best of any situation and without fail play their hearts out." Jones would like to see the Green Wave take the next step forward as a team. "I'm looking for some vast improvement on our finishes as a team," he said. "With six returning players all having some type of experience to pull off from last season, I'm eager to see how the girls improve and see where that leads us."
West Aurora BlackhawksCoach: Chris Soulsby (10th season)
Home course: Orchard Valley
Conference: Upstate Eight
Top returning golfers: Senior Lauren Deliman, junior Annie Wu
Key newcomers: Sophomores Taylor Martin, Alli' Dennis
Outlook: West Aurora has experience at the top with Deliman and Wu both earning trips to the sectional last season. "We have depth," said Soulsby. "We have 20 girls out this year and most of them will be able to post a score for our squads in any given match. They have high expectations for themselves and each other." Soulsby added the West Aurora players have been aided by being able to practice indoors. "We also gained access to an indoor practice facility and the girls have been practicing weekly since December." Soulsby is hopeful Deliman and Wu can take the next step this season. "Lauren and Annie are looking to qualify for state and take the next step."