By Josh Wagner\/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood College junior Gabi Miller carded a career-best 83, setting a new personal record and pacing the Blazers women\u2019s golf team in the Pride of Maryland at Pine Ridge Golf Course Tournament on Sept. 13. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miller has started on fire this season, setting her own personal records three consecutive times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s done well,” said head coach Thomas Chatfield. “She started pretty strong with setting her own personal records. She has set it three consecutive times.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miller reflected on her successful results from the Pine Ridge golf tournament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI felt very good,” she said. “I knew I was playing well that day, but was not too focused on my score because I was having a great time with the girls I played with. To find out that I ended the round with my personal best was amazing and I felt very proud of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last season, Miller competed in the four or five spot for the Blazers, but this year, she has stepped up and proven to be Hood\u2019s No. 1 golfer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been really cool to see that she\u2019s not only embraced being in the one spot, but she also has done it performing at a higher level than she was last year,\u201d Chatfield said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor her, she\u2019s kind of had this opportunity and she\u2019s been able to back it up, which has been really cool to see her grow into that leadership role as one of our upperclassmen, but also as somebody who is scoring lower and lower on the golf course,” Chatfield said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miller\u2019s rise to the top spot did not happen overnight; it came through her putting in the work over the summer and during practices. Chatfield noted that her focus during practices and tournaments has helped set a new standard for the program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe had a job this summer but she was also putting in work on the golf course,\u201d Chatfield said. \u201cIt\u2019s one of those things that you could always see the results, like the gameplay and you\u2019re able to see the difference it makes when you go from one year into the next if they put in summer work and she clearly has put in work over the summer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miller, the oldest golfer on the team, reflects on what the No. 1 spot means to her as a golfer and expresses how she has become a crucial leader for Hood\u2019s program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is very rewarding since I feel like I have worked very hard to earn that spot. As the oldest golfer on the team, I love being a leader for the younger girls and using my previous experience to help them when needed,\u201d Miller said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Miller said she is focused on continuing to build momentum and improving her overall game as a golfer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy goals for the rest of the fall are to finish strong at our last fall tournament, work on my distances, and develop a more consistent practice schedule for the spring season,\u201d Miller said. “I love my team like they are my family.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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