Putting, driving, winning and striving
Kevin Bryce
Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: Sports
Freshman Kelsey Kipp has been playing phenomenal golf, setting new standards and breaking UMKC records.
Last weekend, Kipp finished in first place with her first collegiate medalist honor here at UMKC, playing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR).
This gold medal was the first for UMKC since the 2006-07 season, and the first against a Division 1 team since the 2001-02 season. The freshman now holds five of the top 10 scores in this season's nine tournaments.
Kipp played three 18-hole rounds at UALR and shot a 70 in her first round, which is the second lowest single-round score in UMKC history.
But Kipp didn't want to know how well she did until she had finished all three rounds. She knew after the first two rounds that she had shot well, but didn't realize how well.
"I was guessing that I was somewhere on top, close to the lead if not having the lead," Kipp said. "Golf is mental enough, and knowing that you're leading just adds more pressure."
But with the last few holes of Kipp's third round, she felt she had tossed any lead she may have had out the window.
"I was two under [par] with six holes to play and I bogied five of my last six holes to shoot 3-over," Kipp said. "I actually thought that I gave it away. I wasn't expecting a victory."
Despite what she thought, Kipp finished the tournament shooting 221 in the 54 holes. The 221-shot finish was not only a first place finish but also a new 54-hole record for UMKC.
Preceding all of these accomplishments, Kipp was announced the Summit League Women's Golfer of the Week. But Kipp humbly takes the recognition and the added pressure that goes along with it.
"I think it adds expectation but I think that's good. I have high expectations for myself and so it just makes me want to achieve more."
Kipp has enjoyed playing here at UMKC and has found her place with the women on the team.
"I feel like I've found my family, and I think that's what your supposed to look for when you come to college."
Kipp, along with the rest of the team, goes on to play this weekend in Branson West, MO at the Drury University Ledgestone Classic before going to the Summit Championship nearing the end of April.
kbryce@unews.com
Last weekend, Kipp finished in first place with her first collegiate medalist honor here at UMKC, playing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR).
This gold medal was the first for UMKC since the 2006-07 season, and the first against a Division 1 team since the 2001-02 season. The freshman now holds five of the top 10 scores in this season's nine tournaments.
Kipp played three 18-hole rounds at UALR and shot a 70 in her first round, which is the second lowest single-round score in UMKC history.
But Kipp didn't want to know how well she did until she had finished all three rounds. She knew after the first two rounds that she had shot well, but didn't realize how well.
"I was guessing that I was somewhere on top, close to the lead if not having the lead," Kipp said. "Golf is mental enough, and knowing that you're leading just adds more pressure."
But with the last few holes of Kipp's third round, she felt she had tossed any lead she may have had out the window.
"I was two under [par] with six holes to play and I bogied five of my last six holes to shoot 3-over," Kipp said. "I actually thought that I gave it away. I wasn't expecting a victory."
Despite what she thought, Kipp finished the tournament shooting 221 in the 54 holes. The 221-shot finish was not only a first place finish but also a new 54-hole record for UMKC.
Preceding all of these accomplishments, Kipp was announced the Summit League Women's Golfer of the Week. But Kipp humbly takes the recognition and the added pressure that goes along with it.
"I think it adds expectation but I think that's good. I have high expectations for myself and so it just makes me want to achieve more."
Kipp has enjoyed playing here at UMKC and has found her place with the women on the team.
"I feel like I've found my family, and I think that's what your supposed to look for when you come to college."
Kipp, along with the rest of the team, goes on to play this weekend in Branson West, MO at the Drury University Ledgestone Classic before going to the Summit Championship nearing the end of April.
kbryce@unews.com
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