Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Lili Klekner-Alt: An Awkward Step Into Senior Season
10/12/2019 | 10:00:00 | Women's Golf
The 2019 year has been full of unforgettable memories for Southern Illinois women's golf senior, Lili Klekner-Alt. Lili has experienced highs and lows throughout her collegiate golf career, from celebrating the Missouri Valley Conference championship with her team in May to a heartbreaking foot injury in August that put her senior season on hold.
"I was in class at the farm and climbed into the holding area with the cows. I stepped down and rolled my ankle awkwardly," said Saluki women's golf senior Lili Klekner-Alt. "I've rolled my ankle dozens of times before, but it felt different this time."Â
The diagnosis: torn ligaments and fractures in her foot.Â
"I was shocked. I was very upset because it's my senior year. I wanted to play all season," said Lili. "It's frustrating and disappointing."
Despite residing more than 1,000 miles from Southern Illinois in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Lili's family has still been very supportive throughout her recovery.
"My mom and dad have been my number 1 fans, checking on me, making sure I'm doing my physical rehab, and resting when I can," said Lili. "My mom came down and cooked for me. It was really nice of her to take time out her day to do that,."
The injury has given Lili time to reflect on her collegiate career. Growing up in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Lili Klekner-Alt used to compete against her two older sisters, Marlies and Kiersten, who helped mold her into a Missouri Valley Conference Champion and an MVC All-Conference Team member.
"Growing up, golf was a family sport. We would golf in the summer and ski in the winter. I started golfing at the age of 11, but I didn't take it very seriously at first." said Lili. "There was always a competitive vibe with my sisters; I always wanted to beat them. Once I saw my sisters getting scholarship offers to universities because of golf, I knew that's what I wanted to do, as well. They really mentored me on and off the course."
During her high school career, Lili Klekner-Alt attended Louis-Riel Public High School in Ottawa and was awarded Most Valuable Player four times. In addition, she played in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations Championships three times and competed as a member of Team Canada at the JR Euro Cup in Scotland, where her team won the John Clark Trophy. In 2015, Lili became the Women's and Junior Women's Club Champion at Camelot Golf Club in Lomira, Wisconsin. With so many accomplishments, one would think that Klekner-Alt would have multiple scholarship offers around her hometown.
"Things are different in Canada. You don't see many individuals receive sport scholarships. There are more academic scholarships given out," said Lili. "When my sisters went to university, it was in the US and I knew that's where I would have a better chance of getting a scholarship."
Her motivation to come to Southern Illinois University - Carbondale in 2015 came from her sister Kierstem Kleker-Alt, who was an Assistant Coach for Saluki women's golf at the time. During Lili's freshman year in 2016-17, she competed in two tournaments for the Salukis, averaging 78 strokes per round. In her best performance of the year, she finished tied for seventh at the Saluki Invitational carding a 73, her lowest score of the season and fourth time scoring in the 70's. In the 2017-18 sophomore year, Lili played in nine tournaments and averaged 79.9 strokes per round. Her best performance came during the sixth tournament of the season at the Charles Braun Intercollegiate where she tied for eighth. Shooting in the 70's a total of 11 times, she shot a 74 at the MVC Preview and GCU Invitational for her lowest score of the season.
"Freshman year, especially sophomore year, was more about growth. Sophomore year I made a few tournaments. That's how it is during qualifying, you have some bad days and some really good days," said Lili Klekner-Alt.Â
When she finally got the chance to play a full season with 12 tournaments, Lili Klekner-Alt had proven what she was capable of, averaging 79.1 strokes per round and finishing in the top-20 six times during the season.Â
"I told myself junior and senior year it's time to make all the tournaments. Coach (Kaufman) and I have talked about it. She knows my golfing capabilities and I'm confident I can play in the top-3," said Lil.
Klekner-Alt had her best performances at the Saluki Invitational where she tied for fourth and shot a 71 at the MVC Championship and tied fifth. Lili capped off her 2018-19 junior season with a Missouri Valley Conference championship and MVC All-Conference Team recognition.
"I still can't believe it," said Klekner-Alt. "I remember my freshman year we hosted the MVC Championship and I volunteered. I watched the girls get the awards for All-Conference and I told myself 'WOW! That's what I want to do.' Last year, I didn't realize I was going to get the award until the ceremony. It was one of my best moments in my golfing career so far, to win the MVC Championship and receive All-Conference."
A month since the injury, Lili has made great progress in recovery however, a time table of return remains uncertain. Originally expected to be cleared to return to practice in mid-October, it is clear to her that she will not return during the fall season.Â
"I'm healing quickly and doing really well. The bone has healed nicely, now the ligaments have to heal. I will be in the boot for another two weeks," said Lili. "I don't know if I will be playing this season at all. I will be able to practice, but walking 36 holes and then 18 holes the next day is going to be a bit much right now. It would be nice to play in at least one tournament this season, but I don't want to rush it or injure it again."
SIU women's golf head coach Danielle Kaufman remains optimistic.
"Lili played a big part in the 2019 MVC Championship and continues to contribute to our team this year," said Danielle Kaufman. "I hated to hear about her injury, but I know that she is working hard to get back to competing. She is a very talented golfer and is a key player to our top 5."
What levels Lili's frustration and keeps her motivated throughout this process is her teammates and the opportunity to see things from a different perspective.Â
"I can't dwell on the fact that it happened, I accept it and continue to support my team. I tell myself I'll be able to come back in the spring and that'll be my time to shine. Even though I'm injured, I need to be here for my team to motivate them and support them to keep them driving to be their best. I know that they are all capable of playing really well." said Lili Klekner-Alt . "It gives an opportunity for the other girls who might not get a chance to play to gain that experience of playing in their first collegiate tournament. We have four freshman this year and all of them are really good players. On our team, we all know what each other are capable of. We support each other, that's what makes our team."
Golf is not the only area in Lili's life that had been affected by the injury. Traveling to classes has also become a challenge.
"There was a bit of an adjustment being on crutches and it taking longer to get to class. I am adapting now and things are becoming more normal now that I am off the crutches and in the boot," said Klekner-Alt.
Throughout her recovery, Lili has stayed optimistic about the future.
"I believe I will come out of this stronger. Lately, I've been trying to go out there and have fun," said Lili Klekner-Alt. "I'm guilty of taking the game way too seriously. When you have a really bad day, you're upset, but you have to step back and look at it like the sun is still coming up tomorrow. It's just one round of golf. Go at it tomorrow and play better. We take that for granted and don't realize it until we're injured or not playing anymore."
After her senior year, Lili hopes to remain at SIU and further her education; however, her future with golf is unknown after exhausting her eligibility.
"Will I go pro, probably not. It'll be more of a hobby at that stage. I plan on getting into a Master's program, hopefully here at SIU studying equine reproduction," said Lili. "I'm not sure what my future in golf looks like after this year, but I will definitely keep in contact with Coach Kaufman, the girls, and come out and support Saluki women's golf."
"I was in class at the farm and climbed into the holding area with the cows. I stepped down and rolled my ankle awkwardly," said Saluki women's golf senior Lili Klekner-Alt. "I've rolled my ankle dozens of times before, but it felt different this time."Â
The diagnosis: torn ligaments and fractures in her foot.Â
"I was shocked. I was very upset because it's my senior year. I wanted to play all season," said Lili. "It's frustrating and disappointing."
Despite residing more than 1,000 miles from Southern Illinois in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Lili's family has still been very supportive throughout her recovery.
"My mom and dad have been my number 1 fans, checking on me, making sure I'm doing my physical rehab, and resting when I can," said Lili. "My mom came down and cooked for me. It was really nice of her to take time out her day to do that,."
The injury has given Lili time to reflect on her collegiate career. Growing up in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Lili Klekner-Alt used to compete against her two older sisters, Marlies and Kiersten, who helped mold her into a Missouri Valley Conference Champion and an MVC All-Conference Team member.
"Growing up, golf was a family sport. We would golf in the summer and ski in the winter. I started golfing at the age of 11, but I didn't take it very seriously at first." said Lili. "There was always a competitive vibe with my sisters; I always wanted to beat them. Once I saw my sisters getting scholarship offers to universities because of golf, I knew that's what I wanted to do, as well. They really mentored me on and off the course."
During her high school career, Lili Klekner-Alt attended Louis-Riel Public High School in Ottawa and was awarded Most Valuable Player four times. In addition, she played in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations Championships three times and competed as a member of Team Canada at the JR Euro Cup in Scotland, where her team won the John Clark Trophy. In 2015, Lili became the Women's and Junior Women's Club Champion at Camelot Golf Club in Lomira, Wisconsin. With so many accomplishments, one would think that Klekner-Alt would have multiple scholarship offers around her hometown.
"Things are different in Canada. You don't see many individuals receive sport scholarships. There are more academic scholarships given out," said Lili. "When my sisters went to university, it was in the US and I knew that's where I would have a better chance of getting a scholarship."
Her motivation to come to Southern Illinois University - Carbondale in 2015 came from her sister Kierstem Kleker-Alt, who was an Assistant Coach for Saluki women's golf at the time. During Lili's freshman year in 2016-17, she competed in two tournaments for the Salukis, averaging 78 strokes per round. In her best performance of the year, she finished tied for seventh at the Saluki Invitational carding a 73, her lowest score of the season and fourth time scoring in the 70's. In the 2017-18 sophomore year, Lili played in nine tournaments and averaged 79.9 strokes per round. Her best performance came during the sixth tournament of the season at the Charles Braun Intercollegiate where she tied for eighth. Shooting in the 70's a total of 11 times, she shot a 74 at the MVC Preview and GCU Invitational for her lowest score of the season.
"Freshman year, especially sophomore year, was more about growth. Sophomore year I made a few tournaments. That's how it is during qualifying, you have some bad days and some really good days," said Lili Klekner-Alt.Â
When she finally got the chance to play a full season with 12 tournaments, Lili Klekner-Alt had proven what she was capable of, averaging 79.1 strokes per round and finishing in the top-20 six times during the season.Â
"I told myself junior and senior year it's time to make all the tournaments. Coach (Kaufman) and I have talked about it. She knows my golfing capabilities and I'm confident I can play in the top-3," said Lil.
Klekner-Alt had her best performances at the Saluki Invitational where she tied for fourth and shot a 71 at the MVC Championship and tied fifth. Lili capped off her 2018-19 junior season with a Missouri Valley Conference championship and MVC All-Conference Team recognition.
"I still can't believe it," said Klekner-Alt. "I remember my freshman year we hosted the MVC Championship and I volunteered. I watched the girls get the awards for All-Conference and I told myself 'WOW! That's what I want to do.' Last year, I didn't realize I was going to get the award until the ceremony. It was one of my best moments in my golfing career so far, to win the MVC Championship and receive All-Conference."
A month since the injury, Lili has made great progress in recovery however, a time table of return remains uncertain. Originally expected to be cleared to return to practice in mid-October, it is clear to her that she will not return during the fall season.Â
"I'm healing quickly and doing really well. The bone has healed nicely, now the ligaments have to heal. I will be in the boot for another two weeks," said Lili. "I don't know if I will be playing this season at all. I will be able to practice, but walking 36 holes and then 18 holes the next day is going to be a bit much right now. It would be nice to play in at least one tournament this season, but I don't want to rush it or injure it again."
SIU women's golf head coach Danielle Kaufman remains optimistic.
"Lili played a big part in the 2019 MVC Championship and continues to contribute to our team this year," said Danielle Kaufman. "I hated to hear about her injury, but I know that she is working hard to get back to competing. She is a very talented golfer and is a key player to our top 5."
What levels Lili's frustration and keeps her motivated throughout this process is her teammates and the opportunity to see things from a different perspective.Â
"I can't dwell on the fact that it happened, I accept it and continue to support my team. I tell myself I'll be able to come back in the spring and that'll be my time to shine. Even though I'm injured, I need to be here for my team to motivate them and support them to keep them driving to be their best. I know that they are all capable of playing really well." said Lili Klekner-Alt . "It gives an opportunity for the other girls who might not get a chance to play to gain that experience of playing in their first collegiate tournament. We have four freshman this year and all of them are really good players. On our team, we all know what each other are capable of. We support each other, that's what makes our team."
Golf is not the only area in Lili's life that had been affected by the injury. Traveling to classes has also become a challenge.
"There was a bit of an adjustment being on crutches and it taking longer to get to class. I am adapting now and things are becoming more normal now that I am off the crutches and in the boot," said Klekner-Alt.
Throughout her recovery, Lili has stayed optimistic about the future.
"I believe I will come out of this stronger. Lately, I've been trying to go out there and have fun," said Lili Klekner-Alt. "I'm guilty of taking the game way too seriously. When you have a really bad day, you're upset, but you have to step back and look at it like the sun is still coming up tomorrow. It's just one round of golf. Go at it tomorrow and play better. We take that for granted and don't realize it until we're injured or not playing anymore."
After her senior year, Lili hopes to remain at SIU and further her education; however, her future with golf is unknown after exhausting her eligibility.
"Will I go pro, probably not. It'll be more of a hobby at that stage. I plan on getting into a Master's program, hopefully here at SIU studying equine reproduction," said Lili. "I'm not sure what my future in golf looks like after this year, but I will definitely keep in contact with Coach Kaufman, the girls, and come out and support Saluki women's golf."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
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