FREEPORT — She's only 14, but Audrey Clawson has an old soul when it comes to the game of golf.

“Are you going to let one bad shot ruin your whole round?” asks the Freeport freshman. “Are you going to get so mad, it affects the next shot? There's nothing you can do about it. If you get a bogey, get a birdie on the next hole.”

Spoken like a true pro — only Clawson has been playing golf for just two years.

She's done a great deal in that short period of time. Clawson's latest achievement Monday at the PIAA Class AA Girls' West Region Golf Championships may have been her best yet.

Clawson shot an 85 at Tom's Run Golf Course at Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort in Blairsville to advance to the PIAA tournament, which will be held next week.

“I felt like I played well. There were a lot of nerves, though,” Clawson said. “I wish I played better, but I went to try to place and I'm pretty excited to get to go to states. I think I will be more relaxed there and that will help my scores.”

Clawson has been a quick learner on the links.

She started playing golf when her uncle, Roy Dougherty, took her out on the course with him to teach her the game.

Clawson became hooked.

She played at least nine holes every day during the mild months and worked with Kittanning Country Club professional Chuck Alex last winter to hone her game.

“He pushed me and pushed me,” Clawson said. “I'm going to work with him again and hopefully get my scores lower.”

Clawson joined the Freeport boys golf team this fall. The school does not have a girls golf team.

“Her competing with the boys definitely made her better,” said Freeport golf coach Joe Sprumont. “Her presence also helped the boys on the team.”

As solid as Clawson was on the golf course, her spot on the varsity roster was not guaranteed.

She had to go out and prove her worthiness in every practice and in every match.

“I had to push myself a little more than if I was on a girls team,” Clawson said. “I had to keep my scores low or I was going down to JV. I think that helped me mentally.”

Clawson can drive the ball 250 yards off the tee —and usually right down the middle of the fairway. She has a natural feel with her irons and is working to get better in her short game and putting.

“From tee to green she's solid,” Sprumont said.

But the coach said Clawson has a secret weapon that not many her age possess.

“She's unflappable,” Sprumont said.

Clawson said she has no idea where that mental toughness comes from.

It may have been spawned from her early competitive days on the links.

“I didn't play very well. I think my first tournament I shot a 99,” Clawson said. “I was upset and I told my mom I was done with tournaments.”

Clawson, though, quickly changed her mind and kept plugging away. The more she worked, the lower her scores dipped.

Now, she is a PIAA qualifier.

“That was my goal,” Clawson said. “I've really worked hard to get there.”