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Girls Golf Growing By Leaps and Bounds

By Staff, 05/17/21, 4:45PM CDT

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When the 2020 golf season was canceled due to COVID-19, head coach Megan Smith ’00  did not anticipate huge interest for the 2021 team. She was surprised by the response, especially from the 9th graders, with a record 27 9th graders joining the team. Older students were just thrilled to be back on the golf course.

“I am thankful to be allowed a golf season this year,” said Kalina Fitzgerald ’21. “After not having one last year, I felt like my skills got washed away. But after playing this year, I improved significantly, and my scores progressively got better every match!”  

Overall, 51 girls registered in the CDH girls golf program at three levels: Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Development.  Smith returned for her third year as the Head Coach and Jeremy Wang returned as Assistant Coach. Audrey Hapka '17 joined the coaching staff as an Assistant Coach. Both Smith and Hapka were former varsity golfers for CDH. 

 “Golf is a sport that requires discipline, focus, and a positive attitude; the coaches are able to work with the girls to motivate and celebrate their victories on the course and at the practice range,” said Smith.

The team practices their drives, chips, and putts at Highland National golf course. Coaches use a variety of tutorials, challenges, and interactive games to improve golf skills on the course. The golf team featured a broad spectrum of ability and experience: some girls were learning fundamentals for the first time and others have been playing and competing for many years.  “I really enjoyed being on the developmental team, learning more about golf, and was able to meet new friends at CDH that I probably would not have met otherwise,” said Amelia Burda ’24.

The Varsity and JV teams compete in the Suburban East Conference with a 9-hole match hosted by each school (10 total during the season). CDH hosts their conference match at Highland National golf course. The mid-conference and final conference matches are 18 holes and played at Troy Burne, Oak Glen, and Oneka Ridge. The Development Team played with other conference teams at local par 3 courses on Fridays during the season. Julia Degnan ’23 has gotten more out of the development team than just learning golf. “Being a part of this team was a lot of fun, especially meeting and playing with new people,” she said.

For the 2021 season, the seniors dominated the Varsity roster, with Fitzgerald, Megan Haugh ’21, Lexi Rooney ’21, Kinni Rubbelke ’21, Catherine Tracy ’21, and Ellie Wicklund ’21 returning as  leaders for the team. Ellie Cassidy ’23 was first on the Varsity roster, earning an Honorable Mention for her conference scores.  

Notable JV players this season include Molly Magnuson ’24, Else Wermager ’24, Lauren Bengtson ’24, Olivia Reeder ’24, Ava Redpath ’23,  Katie Votel ’23,  Natasha Krieger ’22 and Megan Delsing ’22. Although the Varsity seniors will be missed next year, there is no doubt the JV players will step into their new roles and post low scores during the 2022 season! 

All of the teams have shown improvement with solid scores playing on the course and positive attitudes dealing with the challenging spring weather. Golf can be especially difficult with temperatures in the low 40s, rain, and snow! Go Raiders!