Northwestern University Athletics
The 2001 Women's Golf Outlook
1/31/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Jan. 31, 2001
Evanston, Ill. - In 2001, the Wildcats will usher in a new season and a new era of golf at Northwestern, an era that should boast individual tournament champions and regular NCAA postseason appearances. Last season's first ever NCAA tournament appearance may have just been a preview to what the 2001 squad and this program can accomplish in the upcoming season and beyond.
"Last season we raised the bar on the expectations of Wildcat golf," said head coach Chris Regenberg. "We come in to this season anxious to improve upon last year's success in a big way."
This years roster is very similar to last season's record setting squad, with the addition of two top-rated freshmen. The `Cats have gained the nation's respect and hold a top-10 ranking going in to the spring season.
Junior Emily Gilley led the charge for NU this fall with a second-place finish at the Central District Classic. She also held a mid-season Golf Week ranking of 34. Gilley was the highest placing Wildcat at the NCAA Regionals (t-11th) and Big Ten Championships (12th) last season. She also was named All-Big Ten for the second straight season in 2000, and she took more than two strokes off her average from her freshman season. Her hard work and focus should make Gilley a front runner in this year's Big Ten.
"Emily is one of the hardest working amateurs I have coached," said Regenberg. "Her game continues to be solid and consistent all-around."
Senior captain Christie Hermes set a school record by shooting a 54-hole tournament score of 219 at Shoot-out at the Legends in Franklin, Ind., last season. Coming in to this fall, she continued to improve with a 77.5 stroke average and a fourth-place finish at the Mercedes Benz Intercollegiate.
"Christie is the energy of our team," said Regenberg. " If she continues to play well, she should be near the top of the Big Ten."
Sophomore Elizabeth Burden has seen action in every tournament since entering NU last year. She was named to the All-Big Ten team as a freshman, while finishing second on the team in stroke average (77.46). Burden's best performance this fall was a fourth-place finish at the Central District Classic where she shot an opening round 73.
"I believe we have not yet seen Elizabeth's best golf, " said Regenberg. "She has played a lot in the off-season and continues to get stronger."
Freshman Hana Kim has already made an impact on the `Cats squad. Ranked in the top 100 by Golfweek, Kim brings with her a wealth of national and international tournament experience. She shot a low round of 73 this fall and was second in stroke average on the team (77.10).
"Hana has incredible power", said Regenberg. "For her, par is not something to be shot, but to be broken."
In only the third tournament of her collegiate career, Lauren Grzebien was already rewriting school records. Grzebien shot a record low round of 70 at the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate. She finished the fall just behind fellow classmate Kim with a 77.30 average.
"Lauren's strongest asset to us is her consistency," claims Regenberg. "By challenging herself day-in and day-out she has the ability to shoot a low score every round."
Regenberg believes this team has more depth than any of its predecessors, and co-captain Kristen Beystehner exemplifies this. Beystehner competed in eight tournaments last season, but had the third lowest stroke average on the team. She shot a low round of 73 at the Waterlefe/USF Invitational.
"Kristen is a pivotal player who can come up with scores when we most need them," said Regenberg.
Sophomore Erin Breslin and freshman Helen Killarney complete the Wildcat roster. Neither saw any action this past fall, but Breslin did play in the Mary Fossom Invitational last season. Both have shown vast improvements in the off-season and should have the rounds to prove it this spring.
The `Cats will have to be at the top of their game all season long with four Big Ten teams ranked in the top 25 mid-season polls. However, Regenberg has no doubt her team is up to the task.
"This team knows what it takes to play at the highest level of collegiate golf," said Regenberg. "There is now a sense of responsibility to uphold the rankings and build on the accomplishments of last season."
