“I’m just having fun dad” were the first words I heard uttered by Clifton Park golfer Nicole Criscone.
At the time she was a single-digit golfer, in age that is.
I had just taken up golf and was playing in an evening 9-hole league at Eagle Crest in Clifton Park. Criscone was at the practice green with her dad, Craig, chipping and putting, and starting to lose focus as kids (and golfers of all ages) are prone to do.
I’m not sure of the year, but it was before 2016, when she qualified as a 9-year-old and competed as a 10-year-old at Augusta National in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals Competition and met Justin Timberlake, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Her smile, ponytails and adorable golf outfit on a beautiful summer evening were memorable. And I would interview her, photograph her and feature her performances in my sports and golf columns for the next decade.
Her commitment to the game remains intact. Her smile is still bright; especially in pictures this week with seven days left of classes at Albany Academy and her drivers’ test approaching. The UAlbany Women’s Golf program and Criscone announced she formally committed to play golf for the Great Danes’ Division I program.
UAlbany Coach Colleen Cashman summed up her junior and high school golf career for me on Friday.
“For many years now I’ve had my eyes on Nicole as a local golfer. It’s been fun to watch her grow up and into the special player that she is today,” Cashman said.
I couldn’t agree more.
On…
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