FRIEDENSBURG — Pottsville’s Rachel Brahler battled with her nerves the entire round during Monday’s Schuylkill League Individual Girls’ Golf Championship.
Attempting to repeat as league champ started the nerves.
So did trying to subdue Blue Mountain’s Sophie Orsulak.
In the end, Brahler was able to do both, shooting a 90 to outlast Orsulak by two strokes and win her second consecutive title at Hidden Valley Golf Course.
Brahler, a junior, ran away with last year’s title at Rolling Meadows, shooting an 83, eight shots better than Lourdes’ Selina Albert (91). Brahler had a much tougher time Monday, making her second title much more memorable than the first.
“This one is definitely more satisfying because I had more competition,” Brahler
said. “I was more nervous because of the competition. I didn’t think I would pull it off, but I did.
“I really don’t how I did it. I was really nervous and it got to me. I didn’t play my best, but it was enough to win.”
Orsulak, a freshman, finished with a 92. Pine Grove’s Kamryn Felty (100) was third, while Albert (101) and Pottsville’s Kayla Dradis (101) tied for fourth.
Monday’s championship was third time Brahler has finished in the top five at the league meet, as she was the runner-up to North Schuylkill’s Justine Paul in 2013.
Brahler had a 44 on the front nine and was a shot ahead of Albert (45) and four stroke in front of Orsulak (48) at the turn. Albert struggled on the back nine with a 56, making it a two-way battle between Brahler and Orsulak. The closest Orsulak got was a stroke before Brahler was able to hold her off.
Brahler had a 46 on the final nine and Orsulak carded a 44.
Brahler didn’t keep track of how Orsulak was doing and didn’t know until the end of the round that she had beaten her.
“I came and saw she had a 92 and I had a 90 and I was like ‘Whew,’ ” Brahler said.
Brahler’s round included five pars and eight bogeys. Brahler almost chipped for a birdie from off the green on No. 18, but the shot came up short and she settled for par.
Chipping was the only part of her game Brahler felt was decent Monday.
“I wasn’t consistent on my shots,” she said. “I was nervous on just about every shot and the nerves were getting to me so I didn’t feel that any part of my game was good.”
Still, Brahler got the championship she wanted the most. The win earns Brahler an automatic berth in the District 11 Class AAA Championships on Oct. 12 at Schuylkill Country Club. She was fifth at districts last year, two places short of a trip to regionals.
“I mean my goal is just to play well,” Brahler said about districts. “This is the main thing I wanted to win. I really want to win the Schuylkill League girls and I am just proud that I did this. From here on I am going to relax and really work on my game more.”
Girls’ golf results
Schuylkill League Individual
Girls’ Golf Championships
At Hidden Valley Golf Course Friedensburg
Par: 72; Yardage: 5,197
Monday’s results
Rachel Brahler, Pottsville 44-46—90
Sophie Orsulak, Blue Mtn 48-44—92
Kamryn Felty, Pine Grove 51-49—100
Selina Albert, Lourdes 45-56—101
Kayla Drasdis, Pottsville 49-52—101
Madison Powell, Blue Mtn 52-52—104
Jade Walters, Mah. Area 61-54—115
Kathryn McCarthy, MA 62-58—120
Kaitlin Kowker, Marian 65-61—126
Sara Grabosky, Marian 61-62—123
Haley Haggerty, Lehighton 61-66—127
Maggie Joseph, Marian 66-65—129
Samantha DeSpirtio, Wea 68-62—130
Katie Blozusky, Marian 66-65—131
Lilly Snyder, Jim Thorpe 70-64—134
Gabby Trout, Marian 79-65—144
Sophie Monboussin, JT 82-73—155
Madeline Kufro, Mah. Area 84-74—158