Whitney High girls golf’s No. 1 player was taking practice swings at the Catta Verdera Country Club in preparation for her match, as the Capital Athletic League season neared its conclusion.

Senior Kelsey Ulep was enjoying a cloudless fallday, thinking back on how she got started in thegame. Ulep, 17, was about 8 years old when she was struck in the face with a softball while playing that sport. That’s when she decided there were better things to do as an athlete.

 “I was really good at batting,” said Ulep, who swings a different club these days. “My dad told me that golf has the same motion and why not play golf.”

In her first competition match, Ulep said she felt more competitive than nervous. However, she did become emotional while on the course.

“Whenever I would mess up out there,” Ulep said, “I would cry, throw my clubs on the green; just let my emotions get the best of me.”

As she got older, she learned how to better control her emotions. At age 12, she took part in her first national tournament.

“I was nervous,” said Ulep, “everyone from around the world was there; younger than me, older than me.  I didn’t wind up playing well, but I eventually learned how to control it.”

With help from her father, Ulep began to play in one or two big tournaments a year. By the time she got to high school, Whitney girls golf head coach Laura Faber said Ulep already had the talent and motivation to play at the prep level.

 “I just took the positive side with her, to keep it in perspective and keeping it light” said Faber, “I love the game and I try to share it with her.”

Ulep said her dad was the one who kept her going. She said his help and the help of her teammates and coaches helped her reach where she is today. As a freshman, she was 10th at state and made it to sectionals as a sophomore.

As a freshman, Ulep finished 10th at state.  As a sophomore, she made it to sectionals where she played her worst round, but said she learned a lot about her game. 

She rebounded as a junior. She shot a 72 at regionals and found herself in a three-way tie for a chance to go to state. She missed that opportunity by a shot.

“I learned more about the game and about my game,” Ulep said; “When to go easy and when to go hard … to go out there and stay calm and relaxed while I play.”

After Ulep competes in the postseason, it will not be the last time she will pick up a club. Next year, she will attend the University of Oregon to play for the Ducks golf team.

“I have really been blessed to have an opportunity,” Ulep said. “At times, I wanted to give up, but I worked though it and pushed through it.”

Source:  http://www.placerherald.com/article/whitney%E2%80%99s-ulep-sharpens-game-duck-country