The proof is in the putting

Sixteen-year-old Jisoo Keel, a girl with a fantastic putt, is on par to achieve success at the 2012 CN Canadian Women's Open

At five years old, while waiting for her parents to finish up at a local golf range, Jisoo Keel was bored and decided to pick up a golf club for the first time.

Now, 11 years later, Keel is burning up the links with win after win at major tournaments across British Columbia and beyond. In 2012, Keel became a member of Golf Canada’s National Team after a hugely successful year on the Development Squad in 2011.

The 16-year-old native of Coquitlam, B.C., started her 2011 season off with a win at the CN Future Links Pacific Championship. She would go on to finish second at the B.C. Junior Girls’ Championship and T2 at the Royale Cup Canadian Junior. At the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, Keel advanced through to the round of 16 before losing to the eventual champion.

Keel also saw great success in several women’s professional events. On the CN Canadian Women’s Tour, she finished third at the B.C. event and eighth at the Quebec event. The young woman also made the cut at the CN Canadian Women’s Open, finishing T66 and earning the Marlene Stewart Streit Medal for Low Amateur.

Keel said this last event was incredibly memorable.

"I only had one goal for the 2011 CN Canadian Women's Open, and it was to make the cut," said Keel. "I know that most amateurs didn’t make the cut in the previous tournaments, so I was just striving for that. I met so many famous players, and played the third round with Morgan Pressel, which was fantastic. I almost didn’t make it, but on the last hole I made a 44-foot putt in front of everyone. This event is so special to me because it was my first LPGA tournament and it was in the country I live in."

Even at such a young age, Keel has accomplished quite a lot. If 2011 was a sign of things to come, this year looks like one in which we can expect to see Keel really light up the links. Keel said making the 2012 National Amateur Team is an incredible feeling.

"It feels amazing to represent Canada all over the world and get recognized for my accomplishments," said Keel. "I realize that only the top girls in Canada get access to the Women’s National Amateur Team and I’m so grateful to get selected."

The right attitude and great support

Keel said it took a lot of hard work, sacrifice and patience to get to where she is today. She spent most of the summer away from her home and her friends—and though that part of it was not easy, she said, the effort has been worth it. Keel also missed a lot of classes at school, which was hard, but from this she learned to manage her time better.

"It is extremely hard to play golf at my level and still maintain good grades in school," said Keel.  "I miss so many classes that my classmates are surprised when I’m in class for more than four days in a row. However, most of my teachers were really helpful and helped me get through school while maintaining my grades. I really don’t know how I balance my life, but I do it! I have lots of friends, a great family and a very busy life—and I wouldn’t have it any other way."

This year so far

In May of 2012, Keel widened the eyes of all her friends and family by winning the CN Canadian Women’s Tour at the Richmond Country Club in Richmond, B.C. She carded a final round even-par 72 to capture the season-opening event.

Keel said she was in contention after the first day but didn't do very well on the first nine of the second round.

"I started to get down on myself but started to make some important par saves and birdies," said Keel. "I chipped on Hole 15, which started my birdie run. I still didn’t think that I was leading or in contention, but when I reached Hole 18 after birdieing (Hole) 17, there were cameras and crowds of people. I thought they were going to pass my group and go follow the last group, but they just stuck with us. That’s when I thought that I actually had a shot. When I made a mistake on my third shot, I was disappointed, since that meant that I had to go on a playoff. However, I made the extremely hard slider downhill, and the pressure was off."

Keel converted three birdies on her last five holes of the day, including a 20-foot birdie putt on Hole 18 to seal the victory with a two-day total of 1-under 143. Keel bested Vancouver’s So Yeon Park and Renee Skidmore of Everett, Washington, by a single stroke for the win as the pair finished at even-par 144.

The winnings Keel could have taken home equalled $10,000, but the young golfer had to turn down the money because of her amateur status.

"It wasn’t that bad to give up the $10,000, because I knew that more was going to come if I kept this going," said Keel. "However, once I told my friends, they started to list off things I could have bought with the money—oh well."

The 16-year-old definitely didn't go home empty-handed. Keel earned an exemption into the $2-million CN Canadian Women's Open. The event goes from August 23 to 26, 2012, at the Vancouver Golf Club, Keel's home course.

"I feel like I have an upper hand on the girls that are going to play, but I also have to keep in mind that I’m playing against the best golfers in the world," Keel said. "I will try to keep myself calm and make lots of birdies, and hopefully do better than last year."

Keel said she is practising as much as she can at the course, but this has proven difficult since she's travelling so much for mandatory events and tournaments.

Designing a game plan

Tristan Mullally is the head coach of the women's Golf Canada National Team. With this program, he ends up meeting with Keel about 70 times a year. A typical session for Keel involves a number of aspects.

"We have coaches for strength and conditioning as well as for the mental side of the game," said Mullally. "She’ll work with several coaches working all the different aspects. We’d test her on all the different areas, then make a plan about how she’s going to approach difficulties.”

Mullally said one of Keel's strengths is in her putting. He said she's a fantastic putter, from quite a long way. The girl knows how to play a golf course and get the best out of a round.

When it comes to the looming Open in August, Mullally said they have a plan.

"We've had a plan in place from the spring," he said. "We want her to peak at the prime time of the year. The important thing is to time it right so she can peak for bigger events."

Before the CN Canadian Women's Open happens in August, Keel is working toward one such event.

"The next big event will be in Scotland for the Women’s British Amateur," said Keel. "This is huge because the winner of this tournament can get an exemption into the U.S. Women’s Open. I’m also going with the National Amateur Team and a couple of girls on the development team, so it’s going to be a blast."

Looking ahead

Keel is definitely on her way to achieving great things; she is an example of the drive and perseverance it takes to make it in such a competitive sport.

"My goals are to stay on the National Amateur Team, win some international events and play very competitive collegiate golf," said Keel. "I also want to get a great education at university while still developing my skills. My ultimate goal is to compete in the Olympics and be the best in the LPGA."

With the way she is playing now, all things seem possible for Jisoo Keel.