PERRYSBURG – Unparalleled leadership qualities have gone a long way for Perrysburg girls golfer Monica
Dorner.
Dorner finished her high school golf career last fall holding every individual scoring record in
Perrysburg history. Now, she looks to continue that success at the next level.
Dorner signed her national letter of intent to compete at Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort
Wayne.
"It was really exciting to be there with all my family and all my teammates," Dorner said.
"They really supported me through my whole decision, so it was really nice to sign with them and
have everyone there."
The Mastodons are a member of the Summit League.
Dorner’s final season at Perrysburg may have been her best as she rewrote the Yellow Jackets’ record
books.
A four-year varsity starter, Dorner holds the records for lowest 18-hole season average (79.71), 9-hole
season average (40.63), lowest 18-hole score (75) and lowest 9-hole score (36) in a round.
She also helped lead the ‘Jackets to their first state tournament appearance last season.
Recently-retired Perrysburg golf coach Rick Rettig called Dorner, "… the best golfer we’ve ever
had."
High praise for a school that has produced four Division I golfers who are currently on women’s golf
rosters.
"I just learned so much from them. And even through their first couple years of college golf I was
still in contact with them and they were telling me how it was," Dorner said of her former
teammates, Kendall Tudor, Becca Tudor and Lauren Diehl, who are all playing at the Division I level.
"That’s what made me really look into golf in college."
Is it irony that Dorner, who was such a role model last season, used to rely on advice from former
teammates? Maybe.
Dubbed "Momica" by her now-former teammates, Dorner showed that leadership can be a catalyst
for a successful season and career.
Dorner consistently looked to give advice and teach her younger teammates as the other five Perrysburg
varsity starters were sophomores last fall.
"They considered her almost like a second mom," Rettig said of the underclassmen. "As a
coach, to sit back and see all these things unfold, the stories that happen in the lives of these young
people, it’s really cool to be a part of that."
"I’ve treated golf more as a team sport as much as it is an individual sport," Dorner said.
"I really like being able to teach others what I know and then learning just as much from others.
That’s a really great trait that every golfer needs to have."
Perhaps everything will come full-circle in Dorner’s career at IPFW as it did at Perrysburg. After being
a knowledge giver and caretaker her senior year of high school, she will become a knowledge-seeking
freshman all over again next fall.
"I hope to learn," she said, "like I did my freshman and sophomore year in high school,
from all of the players they have there. I hope to contribute as much as I possibly can for all of my
years there."