Indiana Golf Journal November.indd

being her impressive runner-up finish in the Women’s British Amateur. She lost in the final 36-hole match, but had she prevailed, Annabelle would have been the first U.S. winner of this event since Kelli Kuehne in 1996. While Annabelle had many highs and lows this summer, the one steady part of the overall experience was the support she received from her parents, Libby and Tony Pancake and her boyfriend Nate Webb, all three of whom served as her caddie. More than just carrying the bag, they provided support and encouragement on and off the course. Both of Annabelle’s parents played collegiate golf. Her mother, Libby at Arizona State University and Tony at Alabama. Her mother Libby told us, “Having played, I tried to think what I would have wanted to hear as a player, coupled with what I might have needed to hear, which might not have always been what I wanted to hear. We try to focus on the most important things. We are always glorifying God, no matter what happens. Golf can be a funny and humbling game and sometimes it’s just not your time. For instance, in the U.S. Amateur this year we counted about seven or eight things that were atypical of Annabelle’s game in the two rounds of stroke play. Those atypical shots included a few missed short putts, a not well-struck wedge or even a putt going in the hole that bounced off the flag. If any one of those shots had gone the other way, let alone two or three, she would have made the cut, but that’s golf. Sometimes you actually hit the ball well and things just don’t go your way. So, don’t get mad or make a big deal out of it. Take it in stride and glorify God even when things don’t go your way by treating others well, always.” As a golfer and a parent, Libby takes a philosophical approach to Anabelle’s performance. “I think we evaluate and differentiate what you can control vs. what you can’t. In golf, you can only control so much. You can’t control how others play, your score, or even your ball sometimes! You can control your preparation, effort and your attitude. It is important to evaluate what can you do better next time in those areas, adjust and move on.” Tony agreed with his wife. “I have never played at the level that Annabelle has achieved, but I try to use my experience as a player and teacher to help her. In most cases, that means just to let her play her own game and have fun. Roughly 99 percent of the time, she knows what to do and doesn’t need my advice.

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