A driving range, which was located less than a mile from Julia Kemmling’s home, is an abandoned grassy field adjoining an industrial park on the Berlin Turnpike today. Though the range has vanished, memories remain.

Her father Ed had cut some clubs down and introduced her to the game at the range “I was 3, so the dog and soda machine there helped me keep going,” she said. 

What really sustained and motivated her was the joy of a well-struck shot. 

She has hit countless quality shots since then, on a desired line or on a rise in the distant sky, in her career in junior golf, at Berlin High School and at Quinnipiac University. She said her most memorable shot was a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win the 2011 Connecticut Women’s Golf Association Girls title. 

Kemmling thanked her father and mother Bridget for their everlasting support, especially traveling to junior tournaments, which started when she was 6. 

She wasn’t satisfied, though. “I couldn’t wait for high school because until then, there were no team opportunities,” she said.

BHS had won five golf titles before Kemmling arrived. “I wanted to help continue that tradition,” she said.

She did. During her four seasons as the No. 1 player, the Redcoats won the 2012, ‘13 and ‘15 state championships.  Among her accolades were: four-time All-State, All-Courant and All-Herald selection; three-time All-New England and the Central Connecticut Conference individual champion; state championship medalist and New England co-medalist in ‘13, and holder of the BHS lowest season individual differential (2.40) and most career medalist honors (47). 

After graduation in 2015, she attended Quinnipiac where she was a three-time captain, who led her team to two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference titles and NCAA appearances, an All-MAAC 40^th anniversary team selection and later was an assistant coach who helped Quinnipiac to three MAAC titles and three NCAA tournaments. 

“Competitions are over,” she said. “Still, what I really love about golf is playing with anyone of any ability or age until you’re older and still really enjoy it.”  

Redcoats’ girls golf coach Jim Barnes, a fellow inductee in this BHS Athletic HOF class, has witnessed her talents. “Look at the three state titles and all her accomplishments, male or female, and I believe she’s the best golfer in Berlin High history,” he said.