Player Profile – Kelsey Bennett
Name: Kelsey Bennett
Age: 16
Handicap: 4
Golf Club: Mollymook Golf Club - Mollymook
Coach: Shaun O’Tool
Favourite club in the bag: Driver and my 8 Iron because I love getting a good first shot on a long hole, and my 8 Iron because I feel comfortable with it and I hit it a good distance
Favourite golf course: I’m going to say Mollymook because after playing the other courses that I have so far, I realise how challenging it is and I appreciate coming home to this beautiful course
Favourite player: Jason Day, not just because he is one of the top golfers today, but he inspires me and show me that no matter what your upbringing is you can always achieve your dreams.
Who has had most impact on your golf to date? Nan, because she was the one who got me into golf and mum because they both help me get to all my tournaments, support me and help me achieve my goals.
What is the most memorable golf shot you have played? The 40 foot put I sank on the 4th hole at Mollymook golf course for eagle
How often do you practice? I practice three times a week and play either Saturday or Sunday if I’m not away competing somewhere else.
What is your favourite food? Watermelon
What type of Clubs are you current using? PING
Kelsey Bennett began playing competitive golf in 2012 and has had a lot of achievements in her short career. There have been no bigger achievements than recently making the combined high schools state golf team after a 7th place finish in the NSW All Schools Championship in Tamworth. Just to get to this event Kelsey had to qualify against some stiff local opposition. Kelsey will now travel to Adelaide to compete in the National Championship against the best junior amateurs in the country.
Over the past 12 months Kelsey has been working very hard on her golf game while also insuring to keep her school grades up, this takes a lot of work and dedication but Kelsey has showed that she is up to the challenge.
Some of Kelsey’s biggest recent achievements include:
- The Harvey Norman Week of Golf is an event that was held on the Northern Beaches in Sydney and attracts players from all over the state to compete. Kelsey finished in 4th position overall and 2nd in her age group; this was a fantastic way to start her 2016 season. Kelsey was also the overall Nett winner in this event which showed that she had improved a lot during the school holidays through lots of practice.
- Kelsey was also able to show her great leadership qualities as she was named captain of the Mollymook Junior Pennant team for the 2016 season, Kelsey was a great leader and showed her fantastic communication skills by insuring everyone had a lift to the events, knew the starting times and was always organising where the team would go for their customary ice cream on the way home from the event. The Pennant team made it to the Grand final where the defending 2015 State Champions Bega defeated Mollymook in a tight battle.
- Kelsey was selected into the 2015-16 Illawarra Academy of sport squad which gives the highly talented players in the Illawarra District access to coaching, nutritional information, sports specific exercises, mental performance classes, public speaking improvements, social media information, tournament planning, and a variety of technical help with the individuals golf swing. Kelsey derived much benefit from this program and is hoping to be selected again this year for the 2016-2017 squad.
- Most recently Kelsey played in her home junior open at Mollymook and was able to finish runner up behind current state team member Hannah Park. Kelsey was a little disappointed with her finish at her home course but I am sure all of the travel that Kelsey had done leading up to this event didn’t help her to play at her best.
- Kelsey Would like to thank Karen Bashford from South Coast Business and Financial Solutions for helping her to purchase a new set of clubs at the beginning of the year. Since Kelsey bought these clubs she has dropped 6 shots on her handicap. Karen does not only Support Kelsey but all of our juniors with her generosity.
Congratulations to Kelsey on all her achievements. I think we will be seeing her name up in lights in years to come.
