Third SCC golf title important one for Paa

By JIM BASTIAN

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- When New Ulm High's Amanda Paa was a freshman, she won her first South Central Conference individual golf championship.

Now a senior, Paa ended her career with the Eagles by capturing her third SCC golf crown by shooting an 8-over-par 78 Friday at the St. Peter Country Club.

"I won it my freshman year and then I finished seventh the next year," said Paa, who will attend the University of Northern Iowa on a golf scholarship next year. After finishing seventh her sophomore year, Paa took home the gold her junior and now senior year.

She became the first girl to win three SCC individual golf championships.

Having won two out of the last three SCC golf titles, Paa felt that she had a good chance to win it again.

"I had not been beaten in any of our (SCC) meets but I knew that there was some good competition out there," she said. "I was ready to play some good competition -- I was focused and ready to win."

And win she did, beating her nearest competitor, Natalie Zitnak of Blue Earth Area, by four strokes.

"She (Zitnak) is tough and there were three girls from Fairmont (Megan Bishop, Cassie Roforth and Meghan Schons) who play well also and are capable of shooting some good scores," Paa commented.

Paa has won consistently and, at times, that can really put pressure on a player. But Paa handles the pressure and expectations well.

"I get along with my other competitors and playing golf is supposed to be fun -- we all have fun doing it," Paa said.

But does that success that Paa has had over the years maybe make other golfers play just a little bit better because of who she is?

"I always kind of feel that everybody is always looking at me -- what did she shoot or how is she doing -- things like that," Paa said.

Paa said winning three conference titles is special "but winning it my freshman year was my most significant one. But this last one meant something to me because it is always a goal of mine to win this tournament. I felt a little pressure coming into it -- I won it last year and was expected to win it again this year so I was happy to win."

She added that she feels that she "is playing her best golf now. I have been getting prepared the last few weeks since we have now been able to get outside with better weather and can practice more."

And the weather has raised some havoc with all golfers.

"This year has been horrible for us -- (Friday in the SCC tournament) was probably one of the best days that we have had and it was only 55 degrees and the wind was probably 15 miles an hour," Paa said. "It has been windy and cold and it does affect every aspect of your game from drives to iron shots to putting. It can affect your short putts more."

Paa's next objective is the state with the sectional tournament beginning Friday and the state tournament June 4-5.

"There are two girls from Mankato West that are tough and the Fairmont golfers are good --those are the biggest competition," Paa said.

Paa will play in the Minnesota State Open (invitation only to the top women's players in the state) June 19-20 and also in the Minnesota State Match Play. Plus she will also play in the Birchmont in Bemidji and the Minnesota State Amateur in addition to the U.S. Amateur Qualifying Tournament.

But Paa first has her eyes set on her next tournament and would like to "win the section and finish in the top five in the state."

But whatever happens, New Ulm can be proud of what Amanda Paa has done on the golf course. And one feels that this is just the beginning for a talented young lady.