Chesterton junior Dutz finds her golf game this season

Nicole Dutz is thrilled to have a different viewpoint for Saturday's Valparaiso Sectional.

Last year, Dutz lost by a stroke to Chesterton teammate Jennifer Kattalia on the first playoff hole for the No. 5 spot in the Trojans' postseason lineup. Dutz remained a spectator during the entire tournament run.

Dutz will be in Saturday's lineup at the Valparaiso Country Club, playing at No. 4.

"That wasn't going to happen to me again," she said. "This should be exciting."

Dutz, who took up the sport just three years ago, has come into her own this season for the Times No. 1 Trojans. She carded a personal-low 79 at the New Prairie Invitational on Aug. 9, and Dutz tied teammate Stephanie Drake for 10th overall at last Friday's Pat Ford Invitational while firing an 87.

In nine-hole Duneland Athletic Conference matches, Dutz was second in team scoring twice -- she shot a personal-best 41 against Crown Point -- and third three other times.

"She's been critical to our success this season, and I think she's been able to pull a couple of girls along with her" Chesterton coach Dale Hewitt said of Dutz. "She's not an extremely long hitter, but she strikes the ball well. 

"It's her work ethic. She had a fire in her belly."

Dutz has been undaunted since her initial prep foray as a freshman, which resulted in a nine-hole score of 73 at Robbinhurst.

"I was just starting out," Dutz said. "Then I got more serious."

Dutz became part of the No. 5 rotation last season, something that left her unsatisfied.

"There was so much pressure on me," she said. "If I played well, I might play again. It still made me nervous."

Dutz continued to practice in the offseason. Richard Grassel, father of No. 1 golfer Kelly Grassel, tutored her. Upon his suggestion, Dutz has also met with PGA professional Mike Troy of Ziegfield Troy Golf in Woodridge, Ill., every two weeks since the spring.

Then she gained a more positive outlook after beginning this season at No. 4.

"I was just so happy," Dutz said. "I had a sense of accomplishment. I wasn't going to have a bad day or freak out with a bad round. I could focus more on my game."

Dutz hopes to enjoy herself during her initial postseason round. Grandparents Damon and Sandy Dutz plan to make it down from Minnesota for the sectional, adding to her rooting section.

"It'll be great to have more of my family there," Nicole said. "Of course, I'll be a little nervous since I haven't played in the postseason before.

"I also have my teammates to support me, and I should be able to keep my head up."