Special season
ADAMS TWP — Natalie Welsh isn't just hoping for a special senior season, she's done everything to put herself in a position to achieve it.
She currently leads the Mars girls golf team with an average score of 36 per nine holes. Her worst score in match play this season is a 40.
Welsh has verbally committed to continue her academic and athletic career at Radford University in Virginia.
She qualified for the WPIAL Championship the last three years, but a berth into the state tournament has eluded her.
“I'm driven to get to states,” said the Valencia resident. “I missed it by one stroke my freshman year. I want to get there and place.”
Planet coach Ralph Jockel is witnessing the type of play out of Welsh that would get her there.
“Her chipping and putting have improved,” he said. “She's keeping the ball in play more this season.”
“In the past, I had to get up and down more and that hurt my score,” said Welsh. “I'm hitting more greens.”
Welsh continued her solid play by shooting a 71 in 18 holes Thursday at the MAC Invitational, leading the Planets to the team title.
Welsh began golfing when her father, Bob, introduced her to the sport when she was six-years-old.
“I started playing in tournaments when I was nine,” she said. “Ever since then, it's been my favorite thing to do. I love to golf and I love competing.”
Welsh had enough experience under her belt that by the time she was a freshman in 2014, she knew she belonged on the varsity team.
“Most girls who come in as freshmen are shy and a little backward,” said Jockel. “They don't want to golf with the seniors, who are shooting better scores.
“But I remember Natalie, she showed up with confidence and wasn't intimidated at all.”
“I had already golfed for so long at that point,” added Welsh. “I just felt comfortable on the golf course.”
That said, a change in mind-set has aided her development.
“I'm better now with the mental aspect than I used to be,” she said. “Before, if I hit a bad shot, I'd be thinking, 'I have to make up for it'. Now, I just move on. It's a new hole.”
Playing outside of the high school season has benefitted all aspects of Welsh's game. This past summer, she took part in tournaments all over the East Coast, including events in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
“Even when I'm home, I'm still on a course or at the driving range pretty much every day.”
The Planets' home course is Rittswood, which Welsh has become very familiar with over the years.
“It's tougher than people think,” she said. “We golf the front nine and there is no water, but you have to know how to play the greens because they are small.”
Welsh's contributions to the Planets exceed her score in matches.
“I've seen her take some of our players to the driving range or the putting green and work with them on her own,” said Jockel. “She's become a team leader.”
“This year, all of the girls on the team are super-into golf,” said Welsh. “We have a really good shot at winning a section title for the first time since 2006. We're all excited and I just feel I need to do my part.”
