In just two years of high school golf, Anna Stiehler has made going to Pinehurst seem routine.
Highlands’ only female golfer qualified for the NC High School Athletic Association 1-A/2-A state tournament at the famed Pinehurst complex beginning on Tuesday.
“I think qualifying for the state tournament as a freshman gave me a lot of confidence and that carried over into this year,” Stiehler said. “I don’t really have any expectations, I just want to go out and play my best golf. I’m competitive, but more so with myself than any of the other golfers.”
A student of the game, Stiehler can often be found practicing her craft no matter the season. Though she doesn’t play in junior golf events over the summer, choosing to focus on the high school season, Stiehler gets in plenty of practice rounds.
“I love to practice, it’s not a chore for me to go out and hit balls or practice my short game,” Stiehler said. “Going into states I have been working a lot on my chipping and putting because I felt like that let me down a little bit at regionals.”
Stiehler got some extra work in over the weekend, under the watchful eye of Highlands golf coach Brian Stiehler, before making the drive to the state championship site. Having her dad for a coach is something Anna Stiehler sees as an advantage.
“Once I’m on the course I’m kind of on my own, so dad can’t really help me with my swing or anything technical,” Stiehler said. “But he is a really positive person and he’s a very good motivator, always telling me to keep my head up and focus on the next shot.”
That motivational acumen was put to the test during the 1-A regional tournament at Lincolnton Country Club as one bounce after another seemed to work against Stiehler.
“Golf is a game where breaks, good or bad, can come in bunches and she had a really tough day,” Brian Stiehler said. “She learned a little bit about staying patient, not getting frustrated, and playing the game one shot at a time, which will serve her well in the future.”
As Highlands’ only female golfer, Stiehler has learned to conjure up her own drive to compete.
“Sometimes I do wish we had more girls that played golf because I think it would be fun to have more of the team aspect,” Stiehler said. “But I know once you tee up your first shot, golf is really an individual sport. I just have to do my best and hope it’s good enough to win.”