Doell continues on road to golf success

By LAUREN KOCUR
Collegian Staff Writer

Sara Doell began her golf career by impressing people. Today, as a member of the Penn State women's golf team, she is doing more of the same.

At a family party, Doell's uncle, Charlie, took out his golf clubs and let the children hit a few shots. Unlike the rest, Doell hit one over his head, and began her golf career two years later, at age 9.

Doell began to play for her school's junior varsity team in the seventh grade. In eighth grade, she began to play for the Gates Chili High School boy's varsity golf team. Along the way, she took advantage of every opponent, even those on her team.

"I'd get a couple of comments," Doell said. "Some of the guys didn't respect me, being a little eighth-grade girl, but once I started playing No. 1 or 2 on the team I got a lot more respect. It was a great learning experience about intimidation."

Now Doell is able to set aside any qualms she might have about an opponent and concentrate on the match at hand without ever forgetting her love of the game.

"You can get hooked on golf," she said. "It's an individual sport, and you can play it for the rest of your life."

The Rochester, N.Y., native has become a fixture on the Penn State traveling team. She began traveling her freshman year and has worked every match to prove she belonged, capping off her freshman year by placing 16th at the Big Ten Championships. Last summer, however, her defining moment arrived.

At the women's New York State Golf Amateurs, held at Saint Andrew's Golf Course in Hastings-on-Hudson from July 14-17, Doell won. It was the apex of her golf career to this point.

"I told my great uncle when I was 11 or 12 years old that someday I'd win it (the NYSGA), and I won it this summer," she said. "I was the second, or maybe even the youngest to ever win it."

When her uncle Charlie died a few years ago, Doell felt a sense of loss and used his memory as inspiration to play harder. After he passed away, she dedicated her first win to him, and still believes he is with her in spirit.

Her tight bond with her family was one thing that led Doell to Penn State.

"I think since I went away to college my mom and I have gotten a lot closer," Doell said. "You start to appreciate them more."

As soon as she stepped foot on campus, she knew Penn State was where she was headed. Doell immediately clicked with her surroundings. She bonded with both the team and coach perfectly.

"(Coach) Denise (St. Pierre) is awesome. She's kind of like our mother, our psychologist, our coach all mixed into one," Doell said.

"I can go to Denise with anything. I love the way she approaches the mental aspect of golf. Teaching confidence and focus, I think that's great, too."

Doell also finds it amazing that with 15 women on the team, there have been no major problems.

"I think we have a lot of great dynamics. We have so many different people and we get along so well. We have problems, but 15 women, you expect something," Doell said.

All Doell has come to expect is consistent play on the links and respect from her peers.

"She is the most crazy, but the most sincere person you'd ever meet," McClain said. "Sara is my best friend in the whole world. There aren't many people you come across in life that truly listen and truly care and that can be just crazy, crazy fun. Sara is serious about her friends, her family and golf in life, and that's it."