Senior Grace Miller has helped the Ankeny Centennial girls’ golf team to a 3-2 record in the CIML Iowa Conference, while senior Gabby Schnepf has helped Ankeny to a 3-2 mark.
Miller ranks fifth among the Jaguars with a nine-hole average of 53.6. She carded a 98 last Monday to help Centennial to a fourth-place finish in the Dragon Invitational at Jester Park.
Schnepf leads the Hawkettes with a 50.2 average. She shot a 93 in the Lamson Invitational on April 29 at Willow Creek, where she led Ankeny to a ninth-place finish.
Here is some inside info on the duo:
When did you first start playing golf, and who introduced you to the sport?
Miller: My dad introduced me to the sport when I was about three years old.
Schnepf: I have grown up around golf my entire life. It was something that I was around mostly my whole childhood, but I didn’t start actually playing until my freshman year. I went to Arizona for spring break with my brother and dad and actually tried playing for the first time. I ended up making my decision there that I would be playing on the golf team that year!
What do you like most about the game?
Miller: My favorite part of golf is the socialization aspect. I love playing with others and having a good time, whether that be with my friends, my teammates, girls from other schools, or with my dad.
Schnepf: The best thing about golf is definitely getting to make so many new friends from other teams. I have made a lot of friends during my years of golf, and I definitely think I will continue to be friends with a lot of them after high school.
What is your favorite course to play?
Miller: My favorite is Otter Creek because it offers a good mix of easy and difficult holes.
Schnepf: My favorite would have to be either Briarwood or Willow Creek. I have played some of my best rounds at those two courses!
How is the season going thus far?
Miller: So far it is going well. I feel like everyone on the team has improved a lot, and we are more comfortable with the courses we have played. I’ve also really enjoyed being on this team, and I’m sad to leave them next year.
Schnepf: I feel like I have really seen some improvement in myself since past years so I would say it’s going well! I have had some ups and downs for sure, but every golfer has bad days.
What has been the highlight for you?
Miller: The highlight for me was when I finally broke 100 at my second invitational of the season. It was such an exciting moment for me.
Schnepf: My highlight would definitely be placing ninth at the Centennial Invite (on April 11 with a 94). One of my goals this year was to place at an invite, and it felt great to accomplish that!
The weather this spring has obviously been awful for golf teams. How difficult has it been to deal with the conditions?
Miller: The weather has been one of the biggest challenges this year. Between the wind and the below average temps, it has been hard to play and practice. I’m just happy that it is finally warming up, and the wind is dying down a little.
Schnepf: Though we have had a bunch of postponed meets, which is unfortunate and definitely leaves us with less practice, I think the weather when we have played hasn’t been too bad so for me it hasn’t affected me as much!
Do you think rain or the wind has more of an effect on your game?
Miller: Luckily I haven’t had to play in heavy rain this year, so I would say the wind has had more of an effect on my game. Not only does it mess up my shots but it also intensifies the already cold weather.
Schnepf: Both are difficult to play in, but I would say the wind is for sure harder for me to play in. If it’s extremely windy, it usually distracts me when trying to hit and makes me overthink my shots.
It looks like we might get some temperatures in the 80s this week. Are you ready to play in some shorts or a skirt?
Miller: I am very excited to play in a skirt rather than three pairs of pants. However, I will have to make sure I have sunscreen on at all times.
Schnepf: Yes! I’m extremely excited to be able to not have to layer up, but I also do hope the temperature doesn’t get too high. The heat and walking in it can sometimes affect my game.
Goals for the rest of the season?
Miller: My goal is to improve my short game. I also want to focus on enjoying the rest of the season and the time I have with my team.
Schnepf: My goal for the rest of the season is to break 90. I believe working on my short game will lead me to achieving that goal.
Plans for next year?
Miller: I’ll be attending DMACC where I plan to earn my associates in arts degree. After that I will most likely transfer to a university to earn a degree in environmental science.
Schnepf: I will be attending Iowa State University to major in Elementary Education! I won’t be playing golf in college, but I really hope to one day become a golf coach for a high school team.