Abby Aeschleman, a senior at Mountain Vista high school, has tucked a positive attitude into her golf bag so far this season.
Aeschleman fashioned a 3-under-par 69 to take medalist honors at the Continental League’s second tournament of the season on April 4 at South Suburban golf course
She was pleased with her playing, noting: “I made some good putts.”
She made four birdies on the front nine and was 5-under-par after 11 holes. She bogeyed the 12th and 13th holes but recovered with pars on the final five holes.
“I just try to stay postitive and not be negative,” Aeschleman explained. ‘I don’t know how to explain it but I always just try to think about the good stuff. Like if there is water, I’ll ignore it and think it’s going to go on the green or in the hole. I like to be super confident.
“I just try to think about the next shot and what I can do with that.You never know, you can make a great shot and turn a bad hole around.”
Mountain Vista coach Ray Bikulcius was not surprised by Aeschleman’s 69 at South Suburban.
“She created a plan for the course during our practice round and she was very committed to that plan,” he said. “Her course demeanor was excellent all day. As a coach I don’t know if she is under par or 10 over. I’m so proud of her commitment to make the team better and as captain it starts with her.”
The start of the girls golf season can be tough because of the spring weather and the lack of time to be outside playing golf during the winter.
“I worked a lot over the winter indoors and did a lot of things with coach but it is so hard to get outside with the weather,” said Aeschleman. “It is definitely a disadvantage to be playing in the spring instead of the fall (like high school boys).
“I just try to focus and try to keep it simple like hitting balls on the range and don’t try to overcomplicate it.”
Aeschleman was fourth last year at the state tournament and has high hopes for this season’s CHSAA state championships.
“My goal this year is to win state,” she aditted. “I’m excited for that. You have to treat state the same. A tournament is a tournament whether it be at state, so you have to kind of have the right mindset.
“I would say my putting is the biggest improvement in my game. I’ve always been pretty good tee to green but once I get on the green my putting has alwys let me down. This year I’ve worked really hard and try to make those putts.”
Besides Aeschleman, sophomore Ashleigh Wilson of Rock Canyon had a 1-under-par 71 at the April 4 league tourney.Rock Canyon’s Ashley Chang fired a 76 and Brooke Hudson of Chaparral carded a 79.
Rock Canyon took team honors in the league’s second meet wirh a 325 total to edge Mountain Vista (328) and Legend (350).
