Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Ready to Begin Spring Season
2/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Feb. 11, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's women's golf team is in the midst of a youth movement.
The infusion of a strong freshman class has head coach Chris Regenberg optimistic for a strong finish in the Big Ten and a return to postseason play.
"The energy and potential in our squad this year is really in that freshman class," says Regenberg. "They are pushing the rest of the team, and what we are seeing is the upperclassmen redeveloping their goals to reflect higher standards of success."
That new talent, combined with the Wildcat returnees, proved to be a solid combination as Northwestern played with and defeated some of the nation's elite during the 2003 fall season. "There's no question that this group is capable of becoming a top-20 program," says Regenberg.
The Wildcats want to use a seventh-place showing at the fall Mercedes-Benz tourney as a stepping stone to bigger things. That process begins this weekend as the Wildcats take on Michigan State in a dual match in Florida.
"That is something they can retrieve this spring and know that the talent is there," says Regenberg.
Northwestern's top returnee is Ina Kim, a junior, who played much of last year with an injury, but still managed to produce five top-20 finishes. She also was named Academic All-Big Ten. Kim hopes to regain the form she had in her freshman year, when she posted three top-10 finishes, including a fourth-place showing.
"Ina played last spring with a wrist injury, which severely hampered her practice time," says Regenberg. "She took the summer off to let it heal and has come back healthy. She is the kind of player who, when her confidence is up, can win any tournament she plays. They key to her success is just getting that confidence back."
Also looking to break into the top of Northwestern's lineup are sisters Lauren and Mary Ellen Grzebien. Lauren, NU's lone senior, was an Academic All-Big Ten performer last season. She also proved she could shoot low scores, finishing fourth at last year's Lady Buckeye Invitational.
"Lauren has had a good look at all of the courses we play, and brings a lot of experience to the team," says Regenberg. "She may not be the strongest player physically, but has very strong game management skills. When her short game is on, her numbers are very low."
Mary Ellen, a junior, a 2003 National Golf Coaches Association All-America Scholar, proved during the fall she is one of Northwestern's most improved players. She turned in the Wildcats' top showing of the season, a career-best sixth-place finish at the Badger Invitational.
"Mary Ellen is a player who can strike at any time, she just needs to be more consistent," says Regenberg. "She has the talent to have high individual finishes. She is making some mechanical adjustments in her game and by the time spring rolls around, she will be ready to go."
Northwestern's jump in national prominence is expected to come largely due to the addition of freshmen Kelly Robb and Alice Kim (no relation to Ina Kim).
Robb finished in the top-15 in all four Wildcat events of the fall -- her first-ever collegiate tournaments. Her best effort was a ninth place showing at the Mercedes-Benz Championships. She also posted the team's best scoring average of the fall.
"Kelly's game is so solid from a strength aspect to a game management aspect," says Regenberg. "She is the real thing. The expectations are very high for her career here at Northwestern. She has the ability to be our No. 1 player right away and is eager to take on a leadership role."
After adjusting to college golf during the fall, Alice Kim is poised to have a big spring for the Wildcats. She finished 20th in the Shoot-out at the Legends and turned in the NU's second-best fall average. She also competed in the 2003 Women's U.S. Open.
"Alice is a very consistent golfer," says Regenberg. "She made some adjustments in her putting stroke later in the fall. When the putter starts working under competition she is going start shooting some very low numbers. I'm excited about Alice's potential this spring.
"The combination of Kelly and Alice being able to take it well under par is a major strength for our freshmen class and our team," says Regenberg.
The duo will challenge for the top spots in the Wildcats' lineup -- a challenge the upperclassmen are ready to answer.
The third member of the vaunted freshman class who is still working to reach the top of her game is Heather Scholten, who put together a 21st-place finish at the Badger Invitational.
"The thing I really like about Heather is her will to win," says Regenberg. "Her energy is unbelievable. She is in some sense the positive glue and drive behind what this team is doing. The three musketeers in our freshman class are all so different, but they work so well together and have brought great chemistry to the whole program."
Rounding out the Wildcat roster is junior Kerri Breslin.
With the combination of young talent and upperclassmen experience, the Wildcats have their sights firmly set on winning this year. NU's best regular-season finish last year was a fourth-place showing at the Lady Buckeye Invitational, and the 'Cats focus this year is again on Columbus, Ohio, only this time for the Big Ten Tournament.
"Our upperclassmen know they can finish high, but when it comes down to the Big Ten Championship, they want to win," says Regenberg. "Each individual on this team has the talent to win. The upperclassmen know that course. It is almost a home course to them by now, so the feeling about it is very good."
The feelings will be very good indeed for the Wildcats this season if they reach their goals not only in the Big Ten, but in a return trip to NCAA postseason play as well.
