PC's Frisby aiming high at state

A book on the athletic career of Bella Frisby could be entitled, “Beginner’s Guide to Golf: How to shoot par in a year.”

Believe it or not, the book would be nonfiction.

Frisby, a sophomore from Parkers Chapel, said she swung a golf club for the first time a little more than a year ago. On Tuesday, she won the 2A 6 Conference Tournament, shooting 2-over 73 at Hope Country Club.

And that wasn’t even her best round.

“I’ve shot about even in practice. But under pressure, that’s the best I’ve shot,” she said.

Frisby will lead the Lady Trojans in the 2A State Tournament on Monday. The tournament will be held at Turkey Mountain in Salem.

Frisby competed in the state tournament last year, shooting 98 and finishing in the top four. This season she’s aiming for the top spot.

Coach Mona Williams was asked if she’s attempted to downplay the possibility of her young player claiming a state title.

“We’ve tempered it some but I’ll be honest with you, after what she shot at conference, it’s a very real possibility,” Williams said.

“Bella has a really good chance of winning as an individual. I will be shocked if she’s not in the top three and going to Overall.”

Not one to mince words, Frisby didn’t hesitate to state her goals.

“I’m going there to win it. That’s just how I am,” she said. “I always want to do my best. I’m hoping to shoot in the seventies and win the thing, honestly.”

A lack of confidence will likely never be Frisby’s downfall. As a freshman, the multi-sport athlete was a doubles state tennis champion, starting catcher for PC’s state semifinal softball team and a member of a championship 4x200 relay.

Confidence probably was a factor in her picking up the sport of golf so quickly.

“I started golf about a year ago. Every since I started, I’ve had a love for it. I always want to be out there practicing. I just really love the game,” said Frisby, who believes her game improves daily.

“My strength is my long game. I’m kind of long with my drive and my irons and everything. My short game is my weakness but that’s what I’ve been working on and it’s gotten better. My weakness is my short game but it’s improving.”

Frisby recorded four birdies and seven pars in her round of 73. The key, she said, was no double-bogeys. That will be critical again on Monday.

“I was looking back, I think her conference score last year was a 91. Her conference score this year is a 73. She’s grown by leaps and bounds,” said Williams. “She did some ASGA tournaments this summer, which I think really helped her competitively as far as tournament play goes. I think she’s going to do nothing but improve.

“Putting is always key. That’s where you shave strokes and keeping the ball in play with her drives. Normally, that’s something she does pretty well. But with Bella, she just has to control her emotions, stay the course, be patient, play her game and she will be fine. Bella is a competitor at the highest level. She gets real involved in her play. If she can stay focused and stay patient, she will be absolutely OK.”

Frisby made a par during a sudden death playoff to help the Lady Trojans win the district title. Winning as a team was important to her. Her teammates will join her at state.

“Just them being with me is encouraging. It makes it less stressful on me when everyone is there having a good time,” she said. “I’m proud of my teammates. They’ve come a long way and I’m excited about state.”

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