With only two holes to get past at the girls Class 1A state golf tournament last year at Golden Hills Golf and Turf Club in Ocala, Ashley Holder was 5-under par as the individual title lay within reach.
She would find trouble at the 17th hole, though, and finish in a three-way tie for third overall as a freshman at 1-under par. Despite posting scores of 73 and 70, she was left to watch as two other competitors (who finished just one stroke better) decided the championship in a tie-breaking playoff.
The sophomore is now setting herself up for a chance to face those state qualifiers once again, as seven of the top eight finishers at states returned to their teams this season.
"I know the competition is going to be tough," said Holder of returning to states.
To keep up with the pack, she's been focusing on playing a smarter game while spending day after day out on the course at both North Shore and Eagle Creek golf clubs.
Lake Nona Coach Kristin McQuillan has encouraged Holder to improve her course management when it comes to selecting the right clubs, where to place the ball and adapting to each course. There have been some noticeable improvements made thus far.
Although Holder started the season with a 1-under showing, she then struggled early in her second match before rebounding to finish 2-over. On Thursday, she shot a round of 33, three strokes better than her even-par nine-hole average a season ago.
Whether things start off good or bad for Holder in any given match, she seems to have little trouble brushing each hole off and moving on to the next one.
"She's not a person of many words when she's playing because she's very focused," said McQuillan. "You can't tell if she's having a good round or a bad round out there."
But one thing's for certain, anything short of competing for a state title in 2010 would come as a disappointment for the area standout.
"I think I've progressed from last year's finals at state," said Holder.
And she's set out to prove it.