Written By Jeffrey Reed
When Strathroy’s Taylor Kehoe left the powerhouse University of Alabama women’s golf program after her sophomore year to join Michigan State University, she really rolled the dice on her collegiate golf career. But that gamble – leaving the Crimson Tide for the Spartans – has paid off in spades, as MSU, backed by Kehoe’s stellar play, is headed to the NCAA Championships May 16-21 at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.
On May 6, Kehoe, 21, led the way for the Spartans at an NCAA Regional tournament firing a 3-under 69 to finish in a tie for fifth place. It was Kehoe’s clutch play that was key in clinching MSU’s third-straight NCAA Championships appearance and fourth in the last five years. In fact, when the game is on the line, Kehoe has come through time after time – ever since she was an 8-year-old golfer competing in tournament stroke play.
When Kehoe joined the Spartans this school year, Michigan State head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll said she was thrilled to see the Strathroy native “join our family. Taylor comes to us after gaining experience while playing at Alabama in a very competitive (SEC) conference. She not only had extensive experience as a junior but won several events and had the opportunity to represent her country during international play. (She’s) a terrific young woman.”
Daughter of Mike and Elisha Kehoe of Strathroy, Taylor first swung a golf club at age 6 and played her early rounds at Strathroy’s Bear Creek Golf and Country Club (now Willow Tree Golf), and at Caradoc Sands Golf Club.
During her freshman season with Alabama, Kehoe couldn’t say enough good things about the Crimson Tide program. Yet despite her glowing report on Alabama, things changed. With a desire for a fresh start, and wishing to play golf and study closer to home, Kehoe left the Crimson Tide – and their shiny new $47-million golf training facility – and moved to East Lansing, Michigan where again she has fallen in love with collegiate golf.
With the NCAA Championships around the corner, Kehoe said she can’t wait to tee it up in California.
“I’m really excited and we can’t wait to play against the best in the country and to show that we’re one of them,” Kehoe said. “We’ve got a great group here and it was an easy transition for me. I had a little bit of an up and down spring but things have really come together over the last few weeks and I’m really happy with where my game is at right now. I still think I can play better and I’m hoping this will continue for the next week in California.”
As for the Spartans’ chances of capturing the national title, said Kehoe, “We have a really strong team. I think we’re capable of it.”
Award-winning writer
Jeffrey Reed has covered Middlesex County sports since 1980. He is publisher and editor of LondonOntarioSports.com. Reach him at
jeff@londonontariosports.com.
