College Golf

J.T. Ross hadn't planned on playing collegiate golf, but he figures it's worth a try. The Boyle County senior will take his game to Georgetown College after signing with that school this week. And while he said he may or may not play for a full four years, he thinks it will be a good experience for him. "You're going to make friends and you're going to be happy," Ross said. "If I only stay there for two years, so be it. It'll be fun no matter what. " Ross said his original plan was to attend Kentucky, but he changed his mind and decided to go just a little farther north.

Taylor Hafley has always wanted to play golf in college but he did not allow sport to become a priority over education when he began his college search. Hafley is excited to report that, after a lengthy search of schools, he's found a college that can provide him with both an educational home and the opportunity to play golf. The 2006 Lincoln County High School graduate, the son of Joe and Melanie Hafley of Stanford, has committed to play for Wittenberg University, an NCAA Division III school located in Springfield, OH. "I love golf and I've always had a dream in the back of my mind to play college golf," said Hafley.

Betty Baird Kregor seemed destined to be a golfing star when she emerged on the Kentucky golf scene during her teen-age years. The Louisville golfer made headlines across the state with her dynamic play, including tournament appearances at Danville County Club. She was a junior All-American and world champion. However, when it came time to play college golf, she was somewhat shocked that she received only three Division I scholarship offers. That's why the 46-year-old Kregor is now hosting a seminar April 23 at the Cardinal Club in Simpsonville to help athletes in grades 8-12 learn more about earning college scholarships.

Rachel Pingleton of Boyle County will represent Kentucky at the Junior PGA Ryder Cup Academy in Port St. Lucie, Fla., July 1-8 at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance. Only 84 junior players ages 14-17 were selected to participate, and Jacob Edward Cook of Frankfort is the lone Kentucky boy that will be attending. The Ryder Cup Junior Golf Academy is a seven-day program where players are given professional instruction while expanding their knowledge on the history and format of the Ryder Cup. Participants had to have at least a 2.5 grade-point average and other considerations during the application process, which included an essay, were desire and ability to excel in competitive golf and the player's character.

K atie McKenna and Marissa Cianchetti didn't know each other until they came to visit Centre College on the same weekend. "We met, played golf and hit it off. We decided to room together and now she is my best friend as well as my teammate," said McKenna. The two helped Centre's golf team finish the year ranked 49th in NCAA Division III. They want to improve that mark next year, and that's a big reason they are playing in the Tee Cup Invitational at Danville Country Club. "It's a fun tournament, and it will definitely help me for next year," said McKenna, who is from Mount Sterling.

Champions Tour players Fuzzy Zoeller, Jim Thorpe and Dana Quigley will tee off at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Danville Country Club as part of a fundraising effort for the Centre College golf program. They will play with 12 players who have paid $1,500 each to play golf with them. The public is invited to watch the 18-hole event.

George Rogers Clark High School senior Caitlin Collins signed a national letter-of-intent to play golf at Pikeville College Friday at the Winchester Country Club. Pictured front row from left are as follows: Tammi Huff, Jeff Collins, Caitlin Collins, Dolly Hollan and Tim Sluder. Back row from left: Barbara Collins, Paul Collins, Haley Collins, Amy Haggard, Pikeville College golf coach Nelson Scott, Pikeville College director of admissions and financial aid Gary Justice, Clark girls golf coach Anne Baldwin and Sue Hollan.

Centre College men's golf captains Rus Whalen and Derek Tingle qualified for the Kentucky Open last week at Cherry Blossom Golf Club in Georgetown. Whalen recorded an even-par 72 while Tingle fired a 3-under 69. The Kentucky Open is Aug 8-10 at the University Club in Lexington.

The Centre College golf teams will travel to Tunica, Miss., for this weekend's Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championships at the Tunica National Golf Course. The Centre men are led by sophomore Chris Morris and his 71.7 scoring average. "Morris has a lot on the line. As great of a year that Morris has had, this tournament could secure an NCAA appearance. A top 5 finish would practically guarantee an NCAA for Morris," said Brian Chafin, Centre's Director of Golf.

George Rogers Clark High School senior Drew Ison, seated, third from left, signed scholarships to play golf and be a cheerleader for St. Catharine College near Springfield. Attending the signing were, from left, seated, George Rogers Clark cheerleading sponsor Ruthie Thornberry, Ison’s mother, Naomi Emmons-Ison, Clark golf coach Ann Baldwin; back row, Clark cheerleading coach Jennifer Graham and cheerleading sponsor Nella Payne, Kim Ritche, St. Catharine College golf coach Joan Rizer; Clark County Athletic Director Ryan Noland and GRC Athletic Director Robbie Graham.