Frequent Flyer Kochevar Strives for New Heights at Glenbard West

Brooke Kochevar is a two-time state qualifying golfer for Glenbard West and coach Sarah Jung. But this summer, Kochevar took her game across state lines—and across six times zones.

Kochevar logged plenty of frequent flyers miles, playing not only in a handful of national tournaments, but also jetting to the Royal Belfast Golf Club in Northern Ireland—Ireland's oldest golf club—to compete in the Girls' British Open Amateur Championship.

The tourney featured 144 girls from several countries—Spain, Italy and Sweden, just to name a few—who competed during the week of Aug. 9-13. Royal Belfast's course, with numerous bunkers and sloped greens, certainly provided a challenge for Kochevar.

"The course was gorgeous," Kochevar said, "but it was a hard course and it was windy and cold most of the time. It was harder because it's so windy, and it's open, so you have to hit the ball lower."

Nevertheless, she embraced the challenge, as well as the experience.

"It was really fun because it was my first time out of the country," she said.  "There were a lot of great players from all over. The girls over there (in Europe), they came with their coaches and trainers, and their whole team. I was there with my mom (Anne). I didn't realize how hard-core it was."

"They (Europeans) come as teams, but she went as an individual. The Europeans are funded by federations," explained Brooke's father, Dan Kochevar, who is a teaching pro at Oak Brook Golf Club and the White Pines Golf Dome in Bensenville. "That was a very tough golf course. These girls are really good."

Closer to home, Kochevar took part in American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) events in New York, Minnesota and Memphis, Tenn. She also competed in the 32^nd North & South Junior Championship at Pinehurst No. 5 in North Carolina—as did her twin brother, Kyle, who, like his sister, is a two-time state qualifier at Glenbard West, with the boys team.

At last year's state tourney, Kyle finished in a tie for 17^th place in the Class 3A boys competition, while Brooke tied for 20^th in Class AA for girls. So, dad, the question begs to be asked: Your kids are top-notch golfers—is there a sibling rivalry?

"Not really," said Dan. "They both really like to hear when each one does well. They're supportive of each other's success."

"He's a lot better than I am," Brooke said, "but we definitely encourage each other. If either of us has a bad day, we try to make each other feel better."

Both Dan and Brooke's coach Sarah Jung have been feeling good about Brooke's progress the past year. A left-hander, Brooke shot a 72 in regionals and carded a 79 to win the sectional championship last season.

"Brooke has always been a good tournament player. She's a small player (around 5-foot-1), so she relies on her swing. She has an excellent golf swing," said Dan, who in addition to giving lessons to his daughter and son, teaches other Glenbard West golfers—and around 90 percent of the St. Viator's boys team, which has won the Class 3A state title each of the past three years.

Jung says watching Brooke play is like watching a pro on television.

"It's very natural when she plays," Jung said. "It's remarkable to watch her shots. She's right on the pin and her drives are right down the middle."

Brooke's scores so far this season give testimony to how she's improved over the past year.

"There's definitely been a leap," Jung said. "She's been shooting in the high 30s all season. Last year she was around 40, 41."

As for the rest of this season, Brooke said she wants to "play my best each round." Team-wise, she hopes for a strong finish in the West Suburban Conference. Last year, the Hilltoppers placed third, as Brooke, Meredith Berk and Claire Lupo earned all-conference honors.

Of course, getting back to the state tournament for the third straight year also is at the top of Brooke's list. And she admits she wouldn't mind a little company.

"I'm hoping girls from my team can advance to state," she said. "I hope that more of our girls can go to sectional (too)."