Bracco and Harvey share identical results in leading the Bulldogs

Updated: September 12, 2011 7:44PM

First year Crown Point coach Jonathon Haas likes his chances going into the Bishop Noll Golf Sectionals.

The reason for optimism? A twosome at the No. 1 position who are virtually interchangeable.

Lucia Bracco, a junior and Alyssa Harvey, a freshman have rotated as 1 and 1A all year.

Haas has taken the somewhat unusual position allowing both of them to compete for the spot throughout the year.

Why not? Their results are almost identical. Both are averaging in the low 40’s. With the departure of four-year stalwart Carolyn Kupchik, Haas, who was the assistant to Mike Cronkhite last season, believes he has more firepower at the top.

“This makes us a more solid team,” he said. “We just don’t have Carol. We have two kids that can shoot low.”

On Friday, Harvey proved that she has plenty of game for the potential regional site. She shot a team low 88 at Beechwood Golf Course, which hosts Regionals.

Bracco likes having Harvey around. Last year, she played the second spot behind Kupchik.

“We just push ourselves to be better,” Bracco said. “It’s a great combination.”

Haas calls Bracco the leader of the team, saying that her course management and golf skills have improved.

“There is nothing flashy about her game,” Haas said. She won’t wow you with her distance. The best way to describe her is that you always know what you’ll get. She manages the course really well.”

Haas knew that Harvey was going to be good before she arrived. He had watched her play in the Northwest Indiana Junior Golf Association League over the summer.

She already has shot a 78 during the year at the Kankakee Valley Invitational.

If Bracco is the current rock of the team, Harvey is the future rock.

Haas said Harvey is “consistent and smart. One of the smartest girls in her class.”

She is also experienced. Harvey has played since she was 10. Her home course is Youche Country Club.

Harvey is happy sharing No. 1 with Bracco, who she calls a great friend.

“It keeps you on your toes,” she said. “If you don’t play well, you know you might not be No. 1 in the next match.”

Both players are looking forward to playing at Lost Marsh on Monday in the Bishop Noll Sectional- Bracco because she wants to improve on the 93 she shot there last year and Harvey because it’s her first sectional.

Bracco said the key to playing well at Lost Marsh is managing your game around the water and heather.

“You have to understand the conditions of the course and club up or down if you need to,” Bracco said.

For Haas, the goal for next year and beyond is clear. He needs to develop more depth so they can compete with Valparaiso and Chesterton.

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.