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Hetzel to play golf at WIU
By Brad Cameron/Gate City Sports Editor
Nerissa Hetzel wanted to continue to play golf after high school at a place where the team shared the same enthusiasm as she did for the sport.
The Keokuk senior found that place.
Hetzel made her college decision official when she signed with Western Illinois University Monday. She will be a member of the Westerwind women's golf program starting in the fall.
“The group of girls over there just seemed like they love it, and I wanted to be a part of a team that just loves it and wanted to work for it and push each other,” Hetzel said. “It's just a great opportunity. I'm excited.”
Hetzel chose Western Illinois, an NCAA Division I program, over Mount Mercy College and Simpson College.
“To play Division I golf is awesome,” Hetzel said. “This was just the place for me.”
Hetzel has been a four year varsity golfer at Keokuk. She has been an all-Southeast Conference golfer each of her first three years, and was the Southeast Conference medalist as a junior.
“Nerissa is very competitive, but she is also supportive as a team member,” said Keokuk Head Coach Don Hetzel, Nerissa's father. “She has worked very hard to develop her skills as a golfer and will take that work ethic to WIU to take her game to the next level.”
As a freshman, Hetzel helped Keokuk finish fifth in the Iowa Class 3A state tournament.
“I have so many memories from playing golf in high school, but the best memory is when we went to state my freshman year,” Hetzel said. “It was a great experience. That was a great group of girls, and we had a lot of fun.”
Hetzel would like to finish her high school career by making a return trip to state.
“That is the goal,” Hetzel said. “That is what I'm shooting for.”
Hetzel will join a young WIU program coached by Lia Biehl Lukkarinen, a former LPGA touring and teaching professional. The current roster has three sophomores and two freshmen among the six players on the team, and Hetzel is the third golfer signed to join the WIU golf program in the fall. She knows it will take some hard work to earn a roster spot as a freshman.
“It's going to take a lot of practice and positive thinking mostly,” Hetzel said. “I'm going to work real hard and try my best.”
The Keokuk senior found that place.
Hetzel made her college decision official when she signed with Western Illinois University Monday. She will be a member of the Westerwind women's golf program starting in the fall.
“The group of girls over there just seemed like they love it, and I wanted to be a part of a team that just loves it and wanted to work for it and push each other,” Hetzel said. “It's just a great opportunity. I'm excited.”
Hetzel chose Western Illinois, an NCAA Division I program, over Mount Mercy College and Simpson College.
“To play Division I golf is awesome,” Hetzel said. “This was just the place for me.”
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“Nerissa is very competitive, but she is also supportive as a team member,” said Keokuk Head Coach Don Hetzel, Nerissa's father. “She has worked very hard to develop her skills as a golfer and will take that work ethic to WIU to take her game to the next level.”
As a freshman, Hetzel helped Keokuk finish fifth in the Iowa Class 3A state tournament.
“I have so many memories from playing golf in high school, but the best memory is when we went to state my freshman year,” Hetzel said. “It was a great experience. That was a great group of girls, and we had a lot of fun.”
Hetzel would like to finish her high school career by making a return trip to state.
“That is the goal,” Hetzel said. “That is what I'm shooting for.”
Hetzel will join a young WIU program coached by Lia Biehl Lukkarinen, a former LPGA touring and teaching professional. The current roster has three sophomores and two freshmen among the six players on the team, and Hetzel is the third golfer signed to join the WIU golf program in the fall. She knows it will take some hard work to earn a roster spot as a freshman.
“It's going to take a lot of practice and positive thinking mostly,” Hetzel said. “I'm going to work real hard and try my best.”
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