‘She’ll fight for you to the end’: Kite’s Transition to Star Golfer

First-year Loyola women’s golfer Reese Kite has made a breakout debut in her first collegiate fall season. Her debut came at the A-Ga-Ming Invitational Aug. 31-Sept. 1 hosted by Central Michigan University. Kite finished her debut with a total score of 232 (81-74-77) and in a tie for 42nd. 

Loyola women’s golf head coach Brandy Johnston raved about Kite’s ability to push the program forward.  

“In trying to move our program forward and work toward our goal of achieving an Atlantic 10 Championship,” Johnston said. “She’s the type of person we need on our roster to help make that happen.” 

Kite, a native of Waterloo, Ill., started her golf journey at the driving range with her dad when she was 7 years old as something fun for the pair to do together. 

A few years later – at 10 years old – Kite began competing in tournaments. It was during these tournaments where she discovered golf was for her, preferring it to other sports, Kite said. 

As her high school career was ending, Kite said she needed to think about the next stop. Other than being a good golfer, Johnston said her character played an integral part during the recruiting process. 

Johnston said Kite’s good character as well as her academic success made her an easy choice. Additionally, Kite’s a competitor and wants to win, which is what Johnston likes most about her, she said. 

Kite said during her decision process, she was drawn to Loyola’s beautiful campus and the golf facility. Loyola’s location had a big pull for Kite. 

“City life is something that I always wanted since I was little,” Kite said. “At my downtown classes, I get to see the city, and then Rogers Park is still the city, but then also kind of quiet. Just the vibes here and the people here are so nice, and I really like it.”  

Since starting her first year at Loyola, Kite faced a challenging transition not only as a student but as an athlete. She said she has learned to love this transition because things have become more competitive too.  

She said finding a balance between schoolwork and her full golf schedule has been the most challenging. However, her teammates have been nothing but tremendous help, according to Kite. 

From helping Kite find her classes, to giving her tips for studying and how to talk with professors, she said she’s grateful for her teammate’s help throughout this transition into her college career. 

According to Kite, the team pushes each other to be the best they can be both academically and athletically.  

“Just being good friends to talk to and practice with and we just push each other to be the best we can be,” Kite said. 

Including her debut, Kite played in a total of four out of five tournaments in her first fall season as a Rambler. 

In her second tournament of her inaugural season, Kite recorded a career-best round score of 73 at the Velvet Classic Sept.15-16 hosted by Murray State University. She tied this career-best total at the Butler Fall Invitational Sept. 29-30 hosted by Butler University. 

Johnston said Kite is really enjoyable to have on the team and is so easy to talk to about ideas while playing in tournaments. 

“She has the type of personality that as a coach, she’s fun to coach on the golf course,” Johnston said. “She’s also just somebody who’s easy to be around and enjoyable to have in the program.” 

In the final tournament of the season, at the Bronco Fall Classic, hosted by Western Michigan University, Kite landed in second place with a score of 225 (73-76-76) strokes. The finish marked Kite’s first top-5 and top-10 appearance. 

During the tournament, Johnston said Kite was dealing with some pain, but she didn’t want to give up and wanted to keep playing. Her performance earned her Atlantic 10 (A10) Rookie of the Week– her first recognition as a Rambler. 

Kite reflected on the accomplishment as a young player. She said it was an amazing end to her first fall season at Loyola and can’t wait to keep going. 

Johnston attributes Kite’s success this far to her continual growth throughout the season. According to Johnston, Kite has gotten a better handle on her nerves and some of the rushing she previously did in the beginning of her rounds. 

Johnston said letting nerves show isn’t uncommon, especially for first-years who are still navigating all the changes and transitions. 

Johnston said Kite never gives up, and she knows after every round, Kite has done everything she can to do her best. 

“The competitiveness has always been there, but navigating the transition a little bit,” Johnston said. “I think she did a better job of that by the end of the fall season.” 

Growing confidence and handling the transition to college well is one goal Johnston has for Kite as they move into their spring season and the rest of Kite’s time at Loyola. Improvement in her short game and fixing small mistakes could make the difference for Kite, according to Johnston. 

These fixes would allow more consistency with Kite’s scores, taking her score from good to great, Johnston said. 

As Kite looks to the spring season — set to tee off on Feb. 2-3 at the Texas State Invitational and her future as a Rambler — she has two goals in mind. For herself, she hopes to win the top spot at a tournament during the season. As a team, she hopes to win the A10 Conference Championship. 

Johnston reflected on Kite’s nature as a player, as someone who doesn’t give up and has a deep sense of competitiveness within. 

“She’ll fight for you to the end,” Johnston said.