L’Observateur / August 24, 1999

She might not have placed first but LaPlace’s Leisl Hasbrouck accomplished her goals at the Maxfli PGA Junior Girls Championship played at the PGA National course in Palm Beach Gardens this week.

Playing against 54 of the top-rated girls from the United States and around the world, Hasbrouck, representing the Gulf States region, tied for 30th place with a four-day total of 322.

Hasbrouck, one of the youngest girls in the field at 13-years-old, was positioned as low as 18th after shooting 80-76 the first two rounds.

After shooting an 88 the third day, Hasbrouck came back with a 78 in the final round.

Hasbrouck had several goals in mind after winning the Gulf States Champion-ship, her fifth straight title, in July. Because of the strength ofthe field, she wanted to finish in the top 20 and no higher than 30th. Shealso wanted to beat last year’s representative from the Gulf States region score which she did by 18 strokes.

Hasbrouck also gained recognition by collegiate coaches as coaches from Ohio State and Utah, amongst others, followed her rounds. She also gainedthe respect of some of the top college-bound players while having fun and gaining experience.

Hasbrouck played and practiced with girls from Peru and Thailand as well as from Missouri, Illinois, New Jersey, California and New Mexico.

Asked what was the difference was between the international girls and those from the U.S., Hasbrouck said “The language barrier and the intensityof the playing level. The foreign girls are so much more focused,especially in practice, than the girls from the United States. Once we gotpast the language barrier, we had a great time.”Hasbrouck’s father, Belle Terre head golf pro Bob Hasbrouck, was asked what she had to do to get to the next level.

“Almost half the field will not be there next year but the remaining kids can play,” Hasbrouck responded. “Although Leisl stayed with most off thetee, in order for her to win on that level, she has to get stronger, especially in endurance.

“This was her first four-day event and I think a lot of the third-round score had to do with the endurance factor. Her last round was played withguts for pure pride. She had a great time and can’t wait to go back againnext year and neither can my wife and I.”Hasbrouck advanced to the Maxfli PGA Junior Girls Championship by winning the girls’ overall championship at the Gulf States PGA Junior MaxFli Championship held at Castlewood Country Club in Jackson, Miss. inearly July. Hasbrouck shot a pair of 78s to win her division by twostrokes.

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