Sometimes it's the things that are least expected that can be the most surprising. This holds true for Amber Weinerth, a junior on the women's golf team.

Weinerth started for the Penn State women's golf team as a true freshman and has been playing strongly ever since. She started playing golf with her father when she was 6 years old, although her main sport was baseball.

"I'd play a lot in the summer; golf in the day and baseball at night," Weinerth said.

She made the switch thanks to influence from her dad and her summer job.

"I'd work at a golf course during the day and then played golf when I was finished," Weinerth said.

She became more competitive at age 12 and played on her varsity team in seventh grade.

"There was a strong junior program in New York and more opportunities for women in golf," Weinerth said.

Penn State coach Denise St. Pierre first spotted Weinerth the summer before her senior year in high school at a PGA junior's tournament in State College. She placed fourth in the tournament, shooting 72-81-71 for a total of 225.

"I remember watching her play; she was close to my hometown in upstate New York," St. Pierre said. "She had talent and experience, combined with athleticism."

She parlayed that in to a spot in the Nittany Lions' starting lineup during her first year on campus.

"We typically have new freshman every year and I like when they challenge the line up," St. Pierre said.

Weinerth also had a chance to play as a freshman with a recent Penn State graduate and the 2002 Lady Lion Invitational winner, Katie Futcher.

"She is a fighter, she goes out and puts the ball in the hole and is a good representative of Penn State," Futcher said of Weinerth.

Playing with Futcher also rubbed off on Weinerth, who met her as a freshman.

"She showed lots of way to get better and had a more positive approach to the game," Weinerth said.

Last year Weinerth placed 25th at the Lady Kat invitational. She shot her season low, 73, at the Nittany Lion Invitational last year, tying for 11th place.

"You look up to the upper classmen as a whole for guidance," Weinerth said. "I didn't know what to expect at first, it was a big surprise. But I learned a lot from the upperclassmen."

Athletes generally try to improve on past performances, and Weinerth is no different.

"I've been working extremely hard to play better," Weinerth said. "I set goals to play better. The whole goal is to win the team tournament. Hopefully we'll play well and come out with a win."

The team has home course advantage this weekend for the Nittany Lion Invitational.

"Amber seems to be quiet in here own right," St. Pierre said. "She's a good leader and players look to her."

It's best to lead by example and, for Weinerth, that doesn't seem to be a problem.