Baxter fifth at state

Ellie Baxter concluded her golf season with a fifth-place finish at the state tournament in Fairmont May 17 and 18. She shot 95 on the first day of the tournament, a respectable but unexceptional score that had her in a five-way tie for eighth place. The next day, however, she shot a 79, the lowest score for a round in the entire girls' tournament. Her combined score was 174, just 12 strokes behind first-place finisher Celi Chapman of Jefferson High School.

Baxter, a junior, is already back on the course, working on her game. That's where she was when we spoke on the phone. I was immediately surprised by her voice which I thought would be mature and dignified, possibly aloof. Her coach, Doree Thilmony, describes Baxter as calm and confident, saying, "She's a student of the game. She has the right character to be a golfer." In photos she eyes her shot with utter concentration and seriousness. Her voice, however, is bubbly and youthful with a distinctive lolling cadence.

The next surprise was that golf is not Baxter's favorite sport. It's basketball. A guard, Baxter went to the state basketball tournament this season with the Lady Hawks for the first time since 2003. She talked about attending basketball camp this summer at Carroll College where she hopes to attend and play basketball with her sister, Megan Baxter, a Blue Hawk alum and current member of the Carroll women's team. Her goal is to be a two-sport collegiate athlete in basketball and golf.

I asked her why she is an excellent golfer? She echoed her coach, "My attitude is my strongest trait as a golfer... keeping it together, focusing on my next shot." This resilience was key after a disappointing first day. "I was not very happy with it. I left a lot of strokes on the course. I was pretty nervous." Playing in the group with the strongest golfers in the state was an intimidating experience. "I was like, oh man." However, she adjusted, saying with simple wisdom, "I know what I was doing wrong so I'll just not do that." The result was the best round of golf in the entire women's tournament. "That's the best I've played," said Baxter. Coach Thilmony described that second day. "She hadn't paid too much attention to her score and focused on the process of each shot. When a golfer does this, the score takes care of itself. Very proud of her and can't wait to see what her future brings for golf next season."

What are her expectations for next season, I asked, thinking she would say to win the state championship, but she offered no predictions, stating only that she planned to "keep improving over the summer, groove my swing in the off season." She plays regularly with her father whom she credits as a major influence to her game, claiming, "I think he should be pro." The Ledger will follow that story as it develops.