GREG BARNETT
Sports Assistant
Ever since the two were young, Austyn and Taylore Karle have pushed each other to be strong golfers, and now all the hard work has paid off. Both are freshmen this year at Pepperdine and both are members of the men’s and women’s golf teams.
Since both are freshmen, some might mistake them as twins, but they’re not. Austyn is a year and a half older than Taylore and a foot taller than her 5’5” frame. The two are from Scottsdale, Ariz., where they attended Notre Dame Preparatory School.
According to Taylore, after faith, family comes first, and although she considered going to Stanford, she chose Pepperdine to be with her brother. And in order to come the same year, Taylore finished her junior and senior years of high school in one year to graduate early. She left Notre Dame Prep and finished those last two years in a distance-learning program.
Taylore said it was the hardest year of her life, but that it was worth it.
“We thought Taylore was mature enough to play college golf,” Austyn said. “She’s a very hard worker and sacrifices a lot for her golf.”
Since the two were young, their dad pushed them to practice hard to become good golfers. Austyn and Taylore would go to the golf course together every day and practice. Whether they were playing, chipping, putting or hitting balls, they were usually together. Austyn said they would have contests in every aspect of the game to push each other to be better and putting contests were their favorite.
At first, Taylore hated golf, but when she was 11 years old she won the first four golf tournaments she entered. Then she lost the fifth, and ever since then she’s hated losing.
“I hated losing so much that I practiced harder and harder in order to win,” Taylore said.
The two consider each other best friends and came to Pepperdine to be close, but, so far, said they don’t see each other as much as they would like. Both of their schedules are extremely packed with classes from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then they have practice all afternoon at different golf courses.
“My schedule is really hectic and demanding on my time,” Austyn said. “Golf takes up six or seven hours a day with practice and driving to the courses.”
The men’s and women’s team coaches said they think the Karle’s have a lot of potential to make their mark at Pepperdine. Taylore has already competed in the women’s first tournament. She led the tournament after the first round and finished at a team best tie for 11th.
“She is outstanding,” Gibbs said. “She has great expectations for this year, and I think she’ll realize them.”
Although Austyn hasn’t competed in the first two tournaments of the year, men’s Head Coach John Geiberger said Austyn is extremely motivated to be a part of the program and wants to put his talent on display.
“Whether Austyn wants to get an A in a class or win a golf tournament, he’s going to work hard to get there,” Geiberger said.
Austyn was a two time all-state selection at Notre Dame Prep and Taylore is coming off back to back Rolex American Junior Golf Association first team All-American years in 2005 and 2006.
Taylore also competed in two LPGA tournaments this spring. She qualified for the SBS Open in February by shooting 71 to win the Monday qualifier, but missed the cut in the tournament. She followed that disappointing finish up with a t-53rd at the Safeway International a month later in March.
“I shot under par the last day which was good,” Taylore said. “But my goal is always to win, so I was disappointed.”
The event Taylore said was her most memorable was the U.S. Women’s Open in summer 2006. The event was held at Newport Country Club in Newport, R.I., where rain soaked the tournament. Even though the weather wasn’t good and she didn’t play well, it was the week of Taylore’s 16th birthday and she said it was one of the best experiences of her life.
“It’s one of those experiences that you will never forget as a young adult,” Taylore said.
As for the beginning of their Pepperdine careers, both said school is harder than they thought it was going to be, but their teams are talented and they love their teammates.
Women’s co-captain Leanne Bowditch said Taylore is a great addition to the team and will help the team push for a national championship.
“She brings a lot to the team,” Bowditch said. “She’s disciplined, determined and I’m glad she’s on my team and nobody else’s.”
Men’s co-captain Eric Shriver said Austyn is a solid player and will contribute to the team this year and for years to come.
“Austyn is a good kid with a lot of talent,” Shriver said. “Every member of the team enjoys being around him.”
Even though both of them said they are going to take the season one day at a time, both of them said they’re here to win national championships, both individually and as a team.
“I want to be player of the year and be number one,” Taylore said. “I want the team to win nationals and to win the individual championship.”
10-04-2007
