By Kali Westerberg
UWRF Sports Information

Senior Kara Coughlin originally came to UW-RF to play volleyball, but she was recruited by Falcon Coach Jeff Berkhof to play golf.

She played both volleyball and golf her freshman and sophomore years, but decided she was only going to play golf her junior year.

"I loved volleyball so much," Coughlin said. "It was an extremely hard decision, and to this day I wonder where I would be if I had chosen volleyball." Coughlin did not want to chose between the two sports, but found it necessary because of the stress level. Her first year, for example, was spent going to class all day, golf practice from 1-3 p.m., and then directly to volleyball practice until 6 p.m. After practice, she had to eat, do homework, and find some time to have a little fun.  

Why did she choose golf? The answer is simple. She had more playing time in golf and the team was a lot closer since there were only six players. Coughlin did not just quite volleyball, however. She practiced and traveled with the team as much as she could. She loved to be around the sport and to help support the players. "Being able to say that I play college golf is a huge accomplishment, because not a lot of people can say they've played college golf."

This year Coughlin, from Two Harbors, Minn., was nominated for the WIAC Scholar Award. "It was definitely an honor. Coming in as a freshman I would never have though I would be given the opportunity to be nominated." This award wasn't just something that came to Coughlin. She had to work hard on the course, as well as in the classroom. Nominees must be playing their last year of a sport and have an overall GPA of 3.25

In the spring semester of her junior year, Coughlin was on the Dean's List. However, that is not the only award she has won in her lifetime. She has been on the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll for golf and volleyball, and she is the captain of the golf team this year.

Coughlin said, "I want to teach them [the younger players on the team] what Falcon athletics is all about, therefore I lead by example. I want them to carry on the same Falcon tradition, having good sportsmanship, perseverance, dedication, and commitment to a sport, which was taught to me."

So far this year Coughlin's average number of strokes per round is 90.2.   She shot her best round, 88, at the Oshkosh Invitational on Sept. 10. One of her most memorable moments of her golf career was the first round she shot in the 80's.  

"Kara has very good distance off the tee and this year she has really improved her putting which is why she is playing more consistent golf," Berkhof said.  

Last year the Falcons finished third in the conference. "Being matched up against Eau Claire and Oshkosh for first place was an accomplishment because you know that your program had a successful year."

Coughlin received her first set of golf clubs from her grandpa and grandma when she was just eight-years-old.   However, she started playing earlier than that.  "I played in my grandparent's yard with wiffle balls. At the time I had no idea what I was doing, but, it was golf."

Motivation came to Coughlin mostly from her grandfather and brother. "They have pushed me to be the best that I can be and they always make sure I have the proper equipment. Not to forget, my parents and family are among my biggest supporters."

Coughlin was on the first Falcon golf team, and is the last one to be graduating from that team. Berkhof said that since her first year on the team "she has improved her course management skills. She thinks through what she needs to do a lot better and this has helped her a great deal"

Coughlin is unsure of her future. Her ultimate goal in life is to become an athletic administrator. She hasn't decided yet if she is going to get a job teaching at an elementary school right after she graduates, or if she will pursue a master's degree. If she decided to get her master's right away she is thinking about attending the University of St. Thomas or the University of Minnesota.

As to where Coughlin will end up living she doesn't know. "I love Two Harbors and Duluth, but right now if I were to predict where I will live in five years it would probably be somewhere in Wisconsin."

"Kara has been in the lineup for four straight years and has had a very good career at UWRF. Not only will her score be missed, but also she's been great to have around and her very caring and sincere personality will be missed" Berkhof said.

Kara Coughlin