Indiana University Athletics
Women's Golf Sign Three Standouts
11/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Nov. 15, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Kellye Belcher (Bartlett, Tenn.), Laura Nochta (Cortland, Ohio) and Anita Gahir (Thornhill, Ontario, Canada) have all signed to compete for the women's golf team beginning in fall of 2006. Indiana head coach Clint Wallman considers this trio as one of the best classes in the nation, and expects it to pay immediate dividends.
"I am very excited about Kellye, Anita and Laura joining the Hoosier golf family. All three are proven competitors with success at the national and international levels. I fully expect them to make a big impact on the program when they arrive on campus next fall."
Belcher looks to contribute immediately for Wallman's squad next season. The 2005 AJGA All-American was a four-time medalist in both district and regional tournaments, while attending Bolton High School. She was also a four-time high school state tournament qualifier, finishing in the top-10 on three occasions. She capped that stretch in the 2005 event where she earned All-State honors with a runner-up finish. In addition, Belcher earned United States Junior Golf Tour's Player of the Year on two occasions (2003 and 2004), and the PGA Junior Player of the Year (2001). The 31st-ranked player in the nation according to Golfweek/Titleist Junior Golf Rankings won numerous tournaments such as the Southeastern Junior Caroline Classic (2004), the Future Tour Championship (2004) and the Tournament of Champions (2001), AJGA Andover Open (2001) among others. She performs as well off the golf course as she does on, as Belcher is a member of the National Honor Society.
"Kellye is a player who always seems to be in the hunt in any tournament she enters. She is not afraid to post low numbers in the closing rounds of events. She has the unique ability to make a lot of birdies when it matters. I look for Kellye to have an incredibly successful career here at IU."
Gahir is the second member of the 2007 class, and brings a wealth of experience and talent to Bloomington. Her career is highlighted by several wins, including the Canadian National Juniors Championship (2003) and the Tournament of Champions for Ontario (2003). She was also a three-time winner of the York District Junior Championship (2001, 2002 and 2003). Recently, Gahir competed at the 2005 Canadian Junior Girls Championship held in Victoria, British Columbia, where she finished in fourth place with scores of 75, 76 and 75. Additionally, she was low medalist at the Women's Western Junior championship, held in Granger, Ind., with a score of 69 while advancing to the tournament quarterfinals. A sign of Gahir's ability came in the 2003 Toronto Star Women's Amateur, where she finished sixth in the stroke play section out of over 120 competitors. She was the youngest player in the event to participate in the match play section of 16.
"Anita comes to us with an incredible background of success in competitive golf. Anytime you win your national championship (2003 Canadian National Juniors) you put yourself on the map. With her length and touch I see Anita having great success at the collegiate level."
 Laura Nochta (Cortland, Ohio), Anita Gahir (Thornhill, Ontario, Canada) and Kellye Belcher (Bartlett, Tenn.) have all signed to compete for the women's golf team beginning in fall of 2006.  |
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Nochta is another talented player who brings a strong resume to the 2006-07 Indiana women's golf team. As a four-year team MVP for Lakeview High School in Cortland, Ohio, Nochta garnered first team All-State in 2005, while also earning medalist honors at both the sectionals and districts. She qualified for the district tournament all four years in high school, and maintained an undefeated record in dual matches throughout her high school career. Nochta, who ranks 39th in the nation according to Golfweek/Titleist Junior Golf Rankings, also captured the Westfield Junior Northern Ohio PGA Championships in 2005, while finishing runner-up in the Ohio Junior Girls Championship (2004 and 2005 - lost in playoff) and the AJGA Memorial Junior Championship (2005). In 2004, Nochta snared All-American honors from the AJGA, and claimed victory at the AJGA Solutions Consulting championship. She also excels in the classroom, maintaining a 3.8 GPA and making the honor roll for every grading period throughout high school.
"Laura is an extremely talented player who is a true competitor. She is an excellent course manager with great imagination who can turn mediocre rounds into great rounds which is the key to success in tournament golf. I expect Laura to come out of the blocks early and not look back."
Wallman is extremely pleased with the 2006-07 recruiting class and feels it is one of the better classes in the history of IU women's golf.
"I really believe that this year's recruiting class is one of the best in Hoosier golf history and rates right at the top of the pack at the national level."
