Rallo sisters displaying their elite golf talent at St. Joseph’s Academy
ST. LOUIS (BVM) — Nicole and Mia Rallo have developed a sibling bond on the golf course that has taken each of their games to new heights. Nicole is a senior at St. Joseph’s Academy, who has helped lead her team to three consecutive MSHSAA Class 2 state titles. Mia is a junior who has been a part of the last two championships, and has followed her sister’s footsteps, becoming a special golfer in her own right.
Both sisters were fairly late bloomers in the game of golf considering their skill level. Nicole, 17, first started playing competitively six years ago. Mia, 16, also started playing competitive golf right around the same time.
Nicole grew up competing as a gymnast while also playing softball, basketball and soccer. However, she and her family quickly realized that those sports, specifically soccer, were not what she ultimately wanted to play.
The sisters had both been introduced to the game of golf as toddlers by their grandfather, but never really picked up the sport. However, years ago, after her soccer season was over, Nicole decided to give the sport another try. A natural talent right away, Nicole began competing in tournaments, and after a couple wins, she was hooked on the sport.
Meanwhile, Mia began watching her sister play, and the success she was having motivated her to follow in Nicole’s footsteps. Mia, who also used to be a basketball player, discovered a natural talent on the links right away as well, winning one of the first tournaments she ever competed in.
Being able to grow up together in the sport of golf is part of what has helped the Rallo sisters excel. While they certainly stay competitive with a sibling-rivalry, the support they are able to give each other on the course goes a long way as well.
“I consider my sister as one of my biggest blessings in everything,” Nicole said. “The fact that her and I are so similar helps us to be the best we can possibly be. We’re so competitive and set big goals for ourselves. We do everything in our power to support one another but also have that competitive drive to push one another to where we want to be.”
“I definitely would not be the golfer I am today without her,” Mia added. “It gives both of us more competitiveness and you know you always have someone right there behind you wanting to take your spot. With her, you have to be on top of your game all the time.”
For high school, the sisters decided to attend St. Joseph’s Academy, an all-girls school in St. Louis, joining what is an elite program. The Angels’ golf program has won nine state championships over the past 25 years, and have won four consecutive titles dating back to 2016.
“The golf team was one of the main reasons I went to St. Joseph’s,” Nicole said. “The team’s history and team’s potential stood out and we knew this team was no joke. Ever since then we have forever been a family.”
The sisters and the rest of their team are coached by Carol Fromuth, who has coached at St. Joseph’s for over 20 years, and has taught golf at the high school level for nearly four decades. Both Nicole and Mia love their coach, and are thankful for the tutelage she is giving them.
“Coach Fro has a special place in my heart,” Mia said. “She’s like a second mom to me and has definitely had a really big impact on my life.”
“Coach Fro is the glue to the team,” Nicole added. “She keeps us in check and keeps us together while also letting us do what we need to do. I don’t think I could ever find another coach or woman like her.”
Of course, both sisters have had special careers thus far at St. Joseph’s. Winning state in Nicole’s freshman year in 2017 was one of the fondest memories she holds so far in her high school golf tenure.
By sophomore year, Nicole quickly became the team’s No. 1 player, consistently scoring in the low 70s. She also racked up the most birdies on the team that year while placing in the top-12 at state on the season — something she would do again as a junior.
Meanwhile, Mia came on the scene right away as a freshman, tying for first in the team’s district tournament, and getting to eventually play at state. She would get back to state as a sophomore individually as well, but her favorite memories so far are the two team state titles she has gotten to share with her sister over the past couple years.
“Having my sister beside me is a comfort to me,” Mia said. “State can be nerve-wracking. My teammates are like my sisters too but having my actual sister there is something I love and it’s amazing to share these experiences with her.”
“There is no other feeling like winning state,” Nicole said. “But the past two years that I got to play with my sister are going to be memories that we share forever. To be able to share that accomplishment is like no other feeling.”
The 2020 fall golf season has had a different feeling across the country. With things changing everyday, the girls currently are able to practice but not yet compete in actual tournaments.
However, the girls remain grateful that they can at least be practicing together, and while the thought of not getting to compete for the program’s fifth straight state title is heartbreaking, both Nicole and Mia remain optimistic they will get a chance to accomplish their goals.
“For me, I really just want to be able to play and compete this year,” Nicole said. “If we get to, I just want to put two consistent rounds together at state and see where I place.”
“Our goal as a team is to always win and win another state championship,” Mia added. “Individually, I want to go into state feeling calm and amazing. I want to put up two good, consistent rounds and I feel like this is going to be the year I do a lot better.”
Nicole’s current handicap is 3.2, equating to an average score of around 75. Her personal best score is a 64. Mia’s average score is between 76 and 77, with an even par 70 as her best-ever round. While both girls hope to finish off their high school careers strong, they have also made noise throughout the state through their play on the amateur scene.
At the 2019 Missouri Junior Amateur Championship last summer, both Nicole and Mia took home first-place trophies, with Nicole winning the female 16-18 division, and Mia coming out victorious in the female 14-15 division. Being able to both pick up wins was another proud moment for the sisters, but also one they see as being beneficial in their future golf careers.
“The way that we both put up really great scores and that we both took first was really cool,” Mia said. “It was great to enjoy that and was a really nice tournament that was well run.”
“That tournament was amazing and was our first Missouri Golf Association event,” Nicole said. “We went out there and played our game. We put a lot into it and it ended up working out our way.”
But playing in the tournament also was a great influence in Nicole’s college choice. In fall 2021, the 17-year-old will continue her golf career at the University of Central Missouri (UCM), whose home course is Mules National Golf Club — the site of the 2019 Missouri Junior-Am. At the tournament, the girls not only got experience playing the course, but were also noticed by UCM women’s golf coach, Chris Port.
With everything that has gone on with COVID-19, Nicole’s recruiting process was cut fairly short. She received several different offers for college golf, but UCM was her only official campus visit. Nicole was also in constant communication with coach Port, and knew she was wanted by both he and the team. Add that to her love for her future teammates and fondness of Port’s coaching style, and UCM became a no-brainer decision.
By the time she begins playing at UCM, Nicole hopes to make an immediate impact while also becoming a better all-around golfer.
“The team at UCM reminds me a lot of our St. Joseph’s team,” Nicole said. “Everybody is very, very competitive and those are the kind of people I want to surround myself with because they are going to push me to be even better. We have a chance at a national title and my goal is to be an All-American at UCM.”
Meanwhile, Mia is just starting out her college recruiting process, but UCM has jumped to the top of her list for obvious reasons.
“Continuing to play with my sister would be a dream of mine,” Mia said. “Coach Port and I have the same communication and I really enjoy talking to him. I also want to stay close to home.”
The Rallo sisters clearly have a bright future ahead of them, and there is no telling how far it can go. Professional golf has always been a thought, and to play at the highest level as sisters would be a dream come true.
“If I stay on track with where I’m at, there is a chance of me potentially going pro,” Nicole said. “Right now I’m taking things one step at a time but I’m definitely putting the effort in to get there. Going pro is something that I believe is inside of you. If the game is a passion nothing can stop you, and golf is definitely a passion of mine.”
“I want to see where I get in college,” Mia said. “But eventually, if I do go pro, it would be an absolute dream of mine. If we both end up going pro that would be even more of a dream. It would be so cool to see both of our names on the leaderboard and even win together. I definitely think we can both get there with a lot of work and time.”
