North Clarion Freshman Ellenberger Enjoying High School Golf

Kolby Barrett

Kolby Barrett

Published October 21, 2019 4:20 am
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Molly Ellenbeger North Clarion Keystone golfFRILLS CORNERS, Pa. (D9Sports) — Golf is easily one of the most underappreciated sports in today’s society, but North Clarion freshman Molly Ellenberger loves the sport.

(Submitted photo)

While Molly attends North Clarion, she golfed for Keystone this past season as part of a co-op and was able to earn a letter in her first year as a varsity golfer.

“I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment I get after I play a match,” Ellenberger said. “It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, I just shot my best score.’ I also enjoy the people that I play with, be it competitors or teammates. I’ve gotten to know some great golfers from different schools.”

Golf is usually associated with adults, Molly said she got her start at a young age.

“I was 4 years old when I started playing,” Ellenberger said. “My parents got me into the sport, and I guess I just stuck with it. My first set of golf clubs was Barbie, and I still have them.”

While playing in high school sports is hard in itself it must be much harder playing and competing for a completely different school with different people.

“Playing with Keystone has been very fun,” Ellenberger said. “I’m thankful that I got to play with them. Mindy Hess is an awesome coach, and I am thankful that she is willing to run a summer junior league for high school golfers. North Clarion High School has also provided me with this awesome opportunity to play in this co-pp.”

Molly has been successful on the greens with her averaging a score 75 and having a best score of 69, which she shot at Clarion Oaks.

“I pretty much have practices twice a week on the weeks we don’t have a match and one practice per week when we do have a match,” Ellenberger said. “I also do lessons one to two times a week. one-on-one with Coach Mindy and they are mid-May through August. I also participate in junior league 3 hours once a week throughout the summer.”

Molly said that practice is what makes her successful.

“Lots and lots of practice,” Ellenberger said. “My coach, Mindy Hess, and my parents have contributed to my success. I also want to thank Jill Finlan-Scally, who was a fantastic coach when I started. She made me love golf.”

Molly said Hess, her parents and her friends all push her to do well.

“They always push me,” Ellenberger said. “I’m so thankful to have them as supporters.”

Molly is hopeful that her success leads to other students at North Clarion realizing they too can have success.
“I think that I could bring a bigger interest to North Clarion and inspire other girls to get out on the course,” Ellenberger said. “Junior league is also a fantastic way to stay involved and continue to stay interested.”

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