Friday, August 18, 2000
N.Ky. girls golf preview
Notre Dame may find tougher challenge
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
Notre Dame has won the last five Northern Kentucky regional girls golf titles, but title No.6 could be the toughest.
Local coaches said there is parity for the first time in recent memory.
“Every team seems to be in similar shape,” Dixie Heights coach Nancy Bradley said.
As a result, Grant County coach Marcus Camacho said the battle for two team berths is a tossup.
“You could throw any of four in there: us, Trimble County, Newport Central Catholic, Dixie Heights,” Camacho said.
But don't count out Notre Dame.
“I still think we have a good shot at it,” coach Janet Carl said. “My first four players are returnees from last year.”
Carl is confident because of top golfer and junior Jenny Brake.
“This is her third season ever playing golf and I'm expecting big things from her the next two seasons,” Carl said.
Seniors Nadine Kunkel, Polly Sleck and Kim Albers round out Notre Dame's top four.
Newport Central Catholic revived its program four years ago, and coach Jeff Schulkens thinks his team has a chance to go to the state tournament. The Thoroughbreds tied with Grant County for third last year behind Notre Dame and Trimble County.
Senior Jessica Griffin was an individual state qualifier last year for NewCath. Joining her are seniors Andi Kemper, Jessica Vinson, Amy Meyers and Claire Parsons; Griffin's sister, sophomore Stephanie Griffin and freshman Nichole Chiodi.
“Most of them have been playing four years, which helps,” Schulkens said.
Grant County counters with two state qualifiers — eighth-grader Ashley Combs and senior Marisa Courtney. And like NewCath, the whole team is back: senior Kasi Kellam, who made the state field in 1998; eighth-grader Melissa Gordon and seventh-grader Millicent Chaney.
“(Combs) was our No.1 player last year,” Camacho said. “She's grown three or four inches from last year. She probably hits it 220 yards off the tee; she's got a good iron game.”
Dixie Heights' Bradley also said she has more than Culbertson. Senior Suzanne Ruh, sophomores Jasleen Chahal and Nicole Bates and freshman Melissa Griggs round out her top five.
“This is the second year for all of them,” Bradley said. “They have improved considerably, I can tell that.”
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