Nothing Elizabeth Kresock does anymore surprises her coach.
Everyone else, however, is probably a different story.
The Colorado Academy senior is the defending Class 4A state golf champion, has never placed lower than second in a state meet in her prep career and has led the Mustangs to three top-three finishes, including the past two state titles.
She carries a 4.07 grade-point average, will play Ivy League golf next season at the University of Pennsylvania, wants to be a lawyer with a double major in Spanish and has played the sacred Pebble Beach twice through the First Tee program — one of several organizations she volunteers with.
She won state last year by erasing a five-stroke deficit on her final round by doing what she always does — never flinching when the stakes get high.
“She’ll never give up and never be defeated by what someone else does,” Mustangs coach Beth Folsom said.
After shooting 79 in the first round of state last year, former tennis standout Kresock hung around for nearly another two hours with her putter — her favorite club in her bag — trying to solve the riddle of Rolling Hill Country Club’s undulating greens.
“I felt I was under pressure, not because I finished second the first two years,” she said, “but because I put the pressure on myself to help our team finish first the last two years.”
She birdied every par-5 the next day, carded a 71 and won by three strokes.
So what was a girl to do next?
How about play Pebble Beach for her second time just three months after winning the state title? That time at Pebble Beach she was paired with pro Mark Wiebe in a best-ball tournament covered by the Golf Channel (she blogged about the experience for ). Then she made big adjustments to her swing and took over an AfricAid program at school that raises money for women in eastern Africa. An annual auction Sunday will raise funds for aspiring nurses in Tanzania.
The Pebble Beach trip came through the First Tee program, which Kresock participates in at Wellshire Golf Course. The group uses the rules and etiquette of golf as a metaphor to teach life skills to the underprivileged.
The overhaul of her swing took up a big chunk of her time. It was a vital adjustment for someone who has “never been a big hitter.”
“Last year I was basically on my tiptoes on impact,” Kresock said. “I was losing huge power.”
This season, Kresock is spending extra time on her pitching wedge and will continue trying to improve her fairway woods. This summer she’ll play a lighter tournament schedule so she can spend time with friends and family before college.
From there, it’s anyone’s guess. Where she goes and what she does will probably be impressive, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Model of consistency
Elizabeth Kresock never has finished lower than second place in the Class 4A state tournament. Here’s a look at how the senior and the Colorado Academy squad has placed the past three seasons:
2008
Kresock 79-71 – 150 (first place); Colorado Academy 505 (first place)
2007
Kresock 74-82 – 156 (second); Colorado Academy 522 (first)
2006
Kresock 73-82 – 155 (tied for second); Colorado Academy 509 (third)
Brian Forbes, Special to The Post
