Maggie Sloan is a sight to see on the golf course, and it’s not just due to her booming drive or laid-back demeanor.
For 90 percent of her season, Sloan is the only female player on the course. The Rebels don’t field a girls program, so Sloan can’t help but stand out as captain of the boys team at T.F. South.
“I think they know now,” Sloan said of her fourth year playing with, and against, the boys. “I’ll step up and they aren’t really surprised anymore. They’re like, ‘OK, she’s here.'”
It’s an obligation that might prove difficult for some, but Sloan continues to handle it with aplomb.
“Maggie fits in great,” said Rebels coach Matt Johnson, a guidance counselor at the school. “She’s a very social person. No matter who we’re playing against, she starts talking and chatting with them. Clearly, you can see she’s a fun person to be around. She’s got a real nice personality, very welcoming.
“All the boys are … they enjoy playing with her. And her personality puts them at ease. Some of the really good golfers that we’ve encountered are like robots. They don’t talk to people, but Maggie’s not that way at all.”
In many ways, competing against the opposite sex has forced Sloan to improve — and adjust — her game.
“I used to be a really conservative player, and now I’m just going at it as hard as I can,” Sloan said. “When I play with girls, it’s kind of obvious. They’re like, ‘You hit really far.’ Yeah, because I have to. You have to keep up with the boys.”
Sloan doesn’t start playing with the girls until the South Suburban Conference Tournament, which takes place just before the IHSA postseason kicks off Oct. 7. There, she will aim for her fourth trip to state after placing 22nd last season. She finished 12th as a sophomore and 50th as a freshman.
A top-10 finish is now the goal.
“My whole summer has been better than ever,” Sloan said. “I think last year I would say (I wanted to finish) top 10 in state, but I wasn’t really confident in myself. This year, I’m really, really confident.”
Sloan knows all about the pressure of the state meet. Her older sister, Samantha, was a four-time qualifier and moved on to become the No. 1 player at the University of Illinois. Her brother, Bobby, earned a pair of top-25 state finishes at Mount Carmel.
“You’re not eating tonight if you don’t qualify for state,” Sloan joked, adding that it’s “the norm” in her house to qualify.
“Literally, from the day I stepped into high school, that was my plan: to qualify for state all four years,” she said.
Regardless of her finish, Sloan’s golf bag won’t be getting dusty anytime soon. She committed to Loyola last fall. It seems to be a good fit for the senior. She ranks second in her class.
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“I’m very education oriented,” she said. “I didn’t want to go anywhere that stressed golf first over education. (Ramblers coach Kyle Stefan) made it clear that golf wouldn’t be in the way of what I want to do.”
Not much is in her way. Not even the boys.
Logan Malloy is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
Top 5 Teams
1. Sandburg: Emily Cosler, Emilyee McGiles and Erin Cronin are back with a bevy of experience after helping Eagles finish fifth in state. Cosler is one of the best in the Southland.
2. Lockport: The reigning regional champs have a new coach in Matt Major, but plenty of talent is back. Look out for No. 1 player Mel Loeffler.
3. Providence: Returning starters Alyssa Gromola and Anna Goggins are strong pieces to build around from last year’s sectional qualifier.
4. Lincoln-Way Central: The freshman duo of Brianne Bolden and Grace Curran could propel Knights into contention in the always-tough SouthWest Suburban Conference.
5. Lincoln-Way North: Led by returning starters Anne Allen and Hannah Hill, the Phoenix seek back-to-back sectional berths for the first time in program history.
Top 10 Players To Watch
(In alphabetical order)
Anne Allen, Lincoln-Way North, senior; Brianne Bolden, Lincoln-Way Central, freshman; Emily Cosler, Sandburg, senior; Erin Cronin, Sandburg, senior; Grace Curran, Lincoln-Way Central, freshman; Anna Goggins, Providence, senior; Alyssa Gromala, Providence, junior; Emilyee McGiles, Sandburg, junior; Mira Nicpon, Marian Catholic, junior; Maggie Sloan, T.F. South, senior.