Lessons could pay off for local teams
Jeff Tully
It’s not often local athletes get an opportunity to receive expert
instruction for free.
However, some local golfers from Burbank and Burroughs highs have
spent the summer perfecting their games with no-cost golf lessons at
De Bell Municipal Golf Course.
Players were able to take part in lessons because of a grant that
was drafted and applied for by Burroughs Coach Mike Krose.
The Pay Grant was for $5,700 and it was used to fund private
lessons for boys’ and girls’ athletes from both schools.
Almost all the girls’ golfers from Burbank and Burroughs took
advantage of the program.
“It is kind of a requirement that all my girls take advantage of
the lessons,” Krose said.
“So they were out there during the summer practicing and working
of different aspects of their game.”
First-year Burbank Coach Jackie Friedman said she is thankful to
Krose for putting in the time and the effort to get the grant to help
the city’s young golfers.
“I think it is great for the girls,” she said. “It is a very good
opportunity for the players to get the instruction they need to play
well. Almost all of my girls have been taking part in the program
this summer.
“I also give a lot of credit to Mike for making this all happen.
This is a very important step for the local players.”
Krose said he is in the process of applying for another grant that
would keep the lessons going.
With lessons under their belts, the girls’ golfers from Burbank
and Burroughs are ready to apply their skills to the 2003 season.
Here is a look at how the season is shaping up:
BURROUGHS
After finishing fourth in 2002 in the competitive Foothill League,
the Indians return a team that lost four key players.
“We lost four seniors and our No. 1 player,” Krose said. “So
essentially, we are starting over.
“We have a team of players who have a lot of potential, but we
just don’t have the experience. So we will just have to wait and see
how they respond to the competition.”
Burroughs does return a trio of juniors, Danielle Caffey, Jenn
Jennings and Kelli Lowers.
The team is also packed with sophomores and freshmen who could
make an impact. The sophomores are Mishel Mahan and Leslie Mora, and
the freshmen are Tara Trammel and Destanie Michaels.
Junior Rose Pierson should also contribute.
“Out of the freshmen, Tara could turn out to be a very good golfer
down the road,” Krose said.
In league competition, Krose said he expects Saugus to be the
favorite for the championship.
BURBANK
The Bulldogs will probably have the finest golfer in the league in
junior Grace Woo.
Woo has spent the summer traveling around the country taking part
in American Junior Golf Assn. tournaments.
In June, Woo qualified for the U.S. Girls’ Junior at Brooklawn
Country Club in Fairfield, Conn. The national event featured some of
the finest young female golfers in the nation -- including
13-year-old sensation Michelle Wie from Hawaii.
Woo was the Foothill League Player of the Year as a freshman in
2001, and advanced to the CIF-Southern California Golf Assn. Girls’
Individual Championship. However last season, she was hampered by
ligament damage in her wrist and took time off for personal reasons.
“Grace is just a great all-around player,” Friedman said. “We’re
hoping she will be the best golfer in the league.”
Unfortunately for Friedman and the Bulldogs, the team will feature
just five players -- the minimum needed for an official match.
Friedman said she is expecting Catie Ahn, Annie Chang, Catherine
Park and Michelle Chow to make the team competitive.
Friedman has had her share of success in golf in the past, playing
for Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and collegiately for Southern Illinois.