Women's Golf Signs Four Standouts for 2010
November 23, 2009 | Women's Golf
Nov. 23, 2009
Louisville, Ky. - Louisville head coach Kelly Rothberg has announced that Maike Klein, Sara Karlsson, Tara Lyons and Katie Petrino have signed letters of intent to play golf next season for the Cardinals.
Klein is in her senior year at Gymnasium auf der Kolhouse in Oleblich, Germany. She won the 2007 Ladies Champion of GC and the 2008 Ladies Champion of GC Rhein-She finished second at the Regional Girls Championships the last three seasons (2006, 2007,2008)
"Maike has a very strong desire to play golf and we are very excited to add her to the Cardinal family," said Rothberg. "She has had to overcome a lot of obstacles to continue playing golf and has a great work ethic. We are very excited to see her reach her full potential and I expect her to make an impact next season."
Karlsson is a senior at Polhemsgymnasiet in Myggenas, Sweden. Karlsson played in Sweden with current Cardinal Anna-Karin Ljungstrom. She shot her lowest competitive round of 72 and averages a 235 yard drive from the tee box. She also competed in swimming, basketball, and gymnastics but dropped those sports to concentrate on golf.
"I made the Swedish connection after the mission trip I took over there with Southeast Christian Church," Rothberg explains. "We signed Anna-Karin and she has been very successful and we are looking forward to Sara K joining us as well. We are expecting Sara to take the same path Anna-Karin and we look forward to her making the same kind of contribution that AK did this fall."
Lyons is a senior at North Myrtle Beach High school. She was named Toast to the Coast Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009 and received the Chief Award for four consecutive seasons (2006-2009). Lyons took titlest honors at the Regional championships her junior and sophomore seasons. She also finished second in the EJGA Championship this summer. Lyons is also a two-year Coker Scholar recipient.
"We are looking forward to Tara joining our team," said Rothberg. "She comes from a golf family and has great knowledge of the game. She is a very passionate and disciplined player and we are excited to watch her reach her full potential here at the University of Louisville."
Petrino is in her senior year at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida. She is attending the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy to focus on golf her final year. She was named the 2006 Kentucky Musselman/Dunne Player of the Year her freshman year. Petrino helped Greater Atlanta Christian Academy win the 2008 State Tournament, placing second overall and earning All-State Honors. She helped guide Fayetteville High School to the 2009 State Championship while finishing sixth overall. Petrino was once again an all-state selection. She won the 2008 Arkansas State Mountain Home Tournament and finished second in the 2009 Optimist International Tournament of Champions. She was also an all-state selection in softball.
"We were excited when Katie called and committed to us," said Rothberg. "She loves the University of Louisville and we are looking forward to her joining our team next season. She is a very gifted athlete and we are glad she chose to play college golf instead of college softball. She is a very dedicated athlete and we look to seeing what legacy she leaves at the University of Louisville."
Players Mentioned
