Lakeshore Elite girls golf: Kiel's Callaway Goodman almost historic in debut season

Lakeshore Elite girls golf: Kiel’s Callaway Goodman almost historic in debut season

Posted by Admin December 30, 2024 Golf

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KIEL — History was being made in Kiel this fall with the formation of the Raiders girls golf team.

Every meet and shot was a chance to do something nobody in school history had done.

Freshman Callaway Goodman, the 2024 Lakeshore Elite girls golfer of the year, almost became the first to reach state after finishing in fifth at the Seymour sectional and two strokes back of a spot at state.

Lakeshore Elite is an all-area team comprised of schools from Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties.

She shot a 22-over, 94 while the last two spots went to golfers who carded a 92.

Goodman, who is named after the Callaway golf company, says she cried all night after missing the cut but had plenty to be happy about.

“I’m proud of (my season),” Goodman said. “I’m really happy. Just wish I would have made state.”

Her coach, Kelly Gozdziewski, had nothing but rave reviews.

“She was phenomenal,” Gozdziewski said. “She was the only golfer on our team who golfed in any event. Even as a freshman she was a leader. Taught the girls the basics and had poise in her game.”

With so much learning going on, Gozdziewski appreciated someone who could lend a kind word and tip to her teammates.

“Just having her on the (driving) range knowing every aspect of the game was huge,” Gozdziewski said. “They had a peer who could show them all the game is about.”

It wasn’t just golf keeping her busy in the fall, Goodman was also a member of the Kiel volleyball team although she’s going to be focusing solely on golf moving forward.

“I’m dropping volleyball not because I don’t love the sport but I really love golf and I want to play in college,” Goodman said.

How did she handle two sports at once?

“I have a very nice mom that drove me everywhere and Kelly would let me go early from practice so I could catch up on volleyball,” Goodman said.

As for how she had so much success, her father Todd Goodman is the girls golf coach and Plymouth and Callaway credits him for always motivating her.

“I had so much success because my dad pushed me so far,” Goodman said. “We’d get up at 4 a.m., golf nine holes then I’d go to golf practice and play nine more holes then go to volleyball, eat then do more golf after.”

The Goodman’s also have a practice net that was set up in their house although it was temporarily displaced due to the families Christmas tree.

Goodman has two younger sisters, one and two years younger, who will also be joining the Kiel team in the coming years so golf is in the family genes.

Gozdziewski truly enjoyed being able to caddy for Goodman at sectionals given how much time she needed to devote to the other members of the team.

“It was impressive,” Gozdziewski said of Goodman’s performance. “I knew I’d have to rely on her. Being able to caddy for her made coaching more enjoyable because I got to focus on just her.”

The coach even promised ice cream following her round if she would birdie an upcoming hole, which she of course did.

“If I knew it was that easy I’d offer ice cream on every hole,” Gozdziewski said with a laugh.

As for what is to come, Gozdziewski has little doubt what the future holds.

“We’re going to state the next three years, I hope,” Gozdziewski said. “She’ll be competing at state at some point.”

Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.