STANDING at TOP SPOT IN FINAL YEAR

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Brownstown Central’s Kaela Tormoehlen is looking to finish her golfing career on a high note.

Tormoehlen had an outstanding junior year with the Braves. She was named to the Mid-Southern All-Conference team, she helped the Braves qualify for the regional and she was named the Braves’ most valuable player.

This season, Tormoehlen said she hopes to make it back to the regional.

The senior has moved up to the No. 1 position this fall after splitting time between No. 2 and No. 3 last year.

On the course, Tormoehlen always keeps a positive attitude.

“You have to make golf fun,” Tormoehlen said. “Sometimes it’s hard to play with girls who take it too seriously. You want to have those people who will help you and compliment you and say ‘good shot.’”

Tormoehlen said she has been playing golf since sixth grade and recalled that her middle school team was coed.

“Being one of the only girls to play with the boys it was fun,” Tormoehlen said. “My uncle works at Shadowood, and he introduced us to golf. Just coming out here and taking lessons with John (Olson, head professional at Hickory Hills) helped a lot.”

During matches, Tormoehlen has to adjust to the conditions on every hole, every day, especially if it is a windy day, and depending on the time of day when there is dew on the greens in the mornings.

“It’s always difficult to have to put in every factor, like whether if you’re in the fairway or in the sand or on the putting green,” Tormoehlen said. “There are always different strokes, and you’ve always got to think about it.

“I’ve been working on my drives this year because usually I slice them to the right, and I know it is because I don’t turn my wrist enough. I’ve really been working on that this year, and it’s helping. When I play with other girls they usually out-drive me, but I know that’s the best I can do. I can’t do any more than that.”

Tormoehlen also said she has been working on her putting.

“My close putting has been better,” she said. “Far putts can be frustrating because you have to read the green real well.”

The Braves No. 1 said her low round at Hickory Hills has been a 45 in a match and 43 at practice.

Her lowest tournament score was the 84 she shot last week at Otis Park in Bedford.

With a young squad this season, Tormoehlen wants to get to know her new teammates better.

“My goal is to get closer to my teammates,” Tormoehlen said. “We have three new girls this year, and I think it will be a great year with them, and it will be a lot of fun.”

In golf, Tormoehlen said practices are important.

“We try to work on different parts of the game as a team, like we’ll split into two or three groups and somebody go putt, somebody go drive, somebody go chip.”

Tormoehlen has enjoyed her three years at BCHS and looks forward to completing her senior year.

“I like that it’s a small enough school that you can know everyone, and be comfortable with everyone,” Tormoehlen said. “There is not a whole class that you don’t know somebody.”

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Parents: Tim and Crystal Tormoehlen

Siblings: Hunter, Tucker

Sports: golf 4 years

Athletic highlights: most improved 2014, regional qualifier 2014, All-Mid-Southern Conference 2014

Organizations: FFA, Sportsmanship Club, 4-H, junior leaders

Plans after high school: Attend Western Kentucky University for vet school

Favorite good: shrimp

Favorite TV show: Brady Bunch

Favorite musician: Tyler Farr

Favorite movie: The Little Mermaid

Favorite team: Denver Broncos

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Q: What’s your favorite away golf course?

A: “My favorite course to play is Otis. It is very challenging. You’ve got to figure out where to hit. Since you play there so much you know you don’t want to hit it exactly straight on this hole because it might run to the left or it might come down the hill. You have to think about it and know.”

Q: What’s the most difficult part of golf?

A:  “Out on the course it’s more mental. You have to appreciate how you play. You can’t say, ‘Oh, I’m doing horrible so I’m just going to quit.’ You have to work through it. It’s a challenge. Every shot is different, up here (between the ears), too.”

Q: What are your favorite and least favorite holes at Hickory Hills?

“My favorite is hole 9 because it’s the last hole, and it’s straight. Probably my hardest hole would be No. 3, the par five. If it’s a good day or a bad day, I can’t decide whether to go for the creek or not go for the creek.”

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