Kraft set for second season: Former Blue Jay golfer looks forward to sophomore year

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The first year of Division I golf was a challenge for Laura Kraft.

The 2011 Jamestown High School graduate played in two tournaments last season for the University of Missouri. But she’s already lined up to play in the Tigers’ first four meets this season, the first of which comes early next month in Lincoln, Neb.

Kraft, who became the first player in state history to win three straight state titles from 2008-2010, spent the summer in Jamestown, working on her game and working out.

“I’m just trying to improve and get more consistency in my game,” she said. “The only way to improve is to work hard, so that’s what I’ve been trying to do.”

Kraft finished last season with a stroke average of 78.8, but that was in sporadic meet play. Her first four tournaments this season will be in Lincoln, Neb., Louisville, Ky., a home meet in Columbus, Mo., and then the Hoosier Classic in Florence, Ind. The Division I season is split into two halves. The first runs through October and then play resumes in February.

Playing on new courses every week is challenging, but Kraft enjoys it.

“It makes it interesting, that’s for sure. It makes it different every meet, but that’s something I’m looking forward to,” she said.

Along with doing a lot of strength training in Bill Nelson’s program during the summer, she also spent considerable time fine-tuning.

“I hit my short-game pretty hard,” said the long-hitting Kraft. “You have to continually improve every area of your game, but that’s one area where I really want to get better.”

Kraft won her third straight North Dakota State Stroke Play Tournament at Hillcrest in July. She also competed in a team event in Ohio with fellow Mizzou Tiger Taylor Gohn, who is a junior from Indiana. The two tied for 20th out of 54 teams.

Laura’s dad Dean, the Jamestown High School golf coach, said earlier in the summer that Laura will likely stay in Missouri in future summers to work on her game, although plans could change.

Either way, Laura is looking forward to her sophomore season.

“If I’m able to be more consistent and play in most of the tournaments and help the team, that would be great,” she said. “I have to set goals for myself and have confidence and hopefully I’ll play well and have a good season.”

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at dselvig@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, golf