Although the IU men's and women's golf programs have experience on their side with many returning players, there are also a few newcomers to both teams for the 2011-12 season.
Freshman Nicholas Grubnich of Crown Point, Ind., joins the men's squad this season with a resume full of honors. Grubnich was named an AJGA All-American Honorable Mention, the 2010 AJGA Columbus Junior Presented by the Memorial Tournament, and was six-under-par overall his senior year at Crown Point High School.
Ontario, Canada native Elizabeth Tong is a new addition to the women's golf team as a freshman and succeeded numerous times in her junior golf career. In 2011, she won the Investors Group Ontario Junior Spring Classic Girls' Championship in Uxbridge, Ontario. Tong also competed on the AJGA circuit, where she won the 2010 AJGA CorseMax Philadelphia Qualifier at Penn Oaks.
Aside from having birthdays only four days apart, these two freshman have a few things in common on and off the golf course.
Nicholas Grubnich
Birthdate: April 13, 1993
Favorite shot to practice: Driving, because it's fun to hit the ball far distances.
Favorite non-golf athlete: Usain Bolt (Track and field Olympic Champion)
Dream Foursome: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, my dad (Pete Grubnich), and myself
Favorite sport to watch: Golf
Favorite place to eat in Bloomington: Mother Bear's
Favorite golf course- Innsbrook Country Club, my home course.
Holes-in-One: Unfortunately, I have 0.
Best Round: 65, first round at the 2010 AJGA Columbus Junior Presented by the Memorial Tournament. Posted a 29 on the back nine to win the tournament.
Motto you live by: "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken."
Pump-up music: Mack MIller
Who taught you how to play? I learned to play from my dad. He took me out to the driving range when I could barely walk.
Why did you pick IU? I picked IU because of the awesome practice facility, the tournaments we play and the kids on the team.
Elizabeth Tong
Birthdate: April 17, 1993
Favorite shot to practice: A draw with a mid-iron.
Favorite non-golf athlete: Gymnast Alicia Sacramone.
Dream foursome: Cristie Kerr, Matt McQuillan, Karrie Webb and me!
Favorite sport to watch: Golf, the Summer and Winter Olympics.
Favorite place to eat in Bloomington: I'm not sure yet.
Favorite golf course: Wooden Sticks, Weston Golf and Country Club, the Ladies Golf Club of Toronto. It's hard to choose just one!
Holes-in-one? Sadly, 0.
Best round: 69
Motto you live by: "Never give up."
Pump-up music: Hillsong, anything with a beat.
Where you learned to play: Uplands Golf Club
Why did you pick IU? There are great academics like the Kelley School of Business, it's lively, there are great people, we're crazy for athletics, and there's a great women's golf team that's going to dominate this year!
