By Lauren and Meredith Kane
A member of the Barry University women’s golf team in its inaugural 1998-1999 season, Kara Hutton was part of two milestone events in the history of the program: that first season and their first trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament in 2002 where they finished second. A native of Michigan, Hutton recalls that first team, which consisted of only five players, and remembers it as a very special experience, in that everyone played in all the tournaments and became close friends.
The women’s golf team continued to expand and improve during Hutton’s career and her senior season culminated in a trip to the National Championship—in none other than Hutton’s home state of Michigan.
“Initially we weren’t sure how we would finish,” Hutton explains (left), “but after the first round of scores came in, we knew we could place well.”
Taking into account the extreme weather conditions, which included snow flurries on the last day, Hutton finished tied for 13th with a four round score of 328 (80, 78, 85, 85). Participating in the national championship left Hutton with fond memories and an overall awe-inspiring experience.
After graduating with a degree in Business from Barry, Hutton used her golf experiences to work at La Gorce Country Club in Miami Beach. However, she has taken her love of golf and applied it to another field: a love of teaching children. As a student-athlete at Barry, she was exposed to the youth mentoring program Big Brothers/Big Sisters, where she first discovered this passion. Hutton now works in the math department at Aspira Middle School in Miami, where she is in charge of the math and science programs.
Hutton (with team, right) is returning to Barry this spring semester to begin her Master’s Degree coursework in Educational Leadership. She plans to stay in education and eventually become a principal. Hutton states, “I wouldn’t trade my overall experiences at Barry for anything in the world, and I am very grateful for everything Barry provided.” It is fitting, then, that Hutton returns to Barry for a new, inaugural season, much like she did nine years ago.