Elizabeth Kondal beat uncertainty to end high school on a high note
ST. JOHNS, Fla. — When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, governments around the globe responded by shutting down sports activities and competitions. With no game in sight, many high school athletes sat back and watched in despair. Not Elizabeth Kondal, a recent Bartram Trail graduate. She spent most of her time practicing on her swings and it paid off. The result of her constant practice was the winning of the district and conference tournaments for the second year in a row.
鈥淎nd there was crowd. All the high school teams were there, coaches, parents, everyone just watching on the green,鈥� Kondal , expressing what it felt like playing at the state tournament. 鈥淎nd I had missed the green and I was chipping. I chipped in for birdie and it was just amazing. Like that was the ideal situation that end my high school season. It was just exciting, so shocking to me because I just didn鈥檛 realize that my season was going to end in such a high note.鈥�
Kondal had a sterling performance at the state tournament, ending her performance with state runner-up honors in the Class 3A championship held at Las Colinas Mission Inn Resort and Club. She ended the tournament one stroke behind the champion, Jacqueline Putrino of Sarasota Riverview. In terms of team performance, Riverview won the while Kondal and the Bears came in fourth.
The recent win adds to her list of growing trophies. Kondal was named the Florida Times-Union high school Player of the Year 2020. Out of her nine starts in Florida State Golf Association and high school events, she finished in the top10 eight of those times. However, for every success recorded to her name, Kondal has had to put dozens of frustrating moments behind.
For example, in the first round of the Florida Women鈥檚 Stroke Play Championship held at Long Point鈥檚 Amelia Island Club, Kondal had a couple of early misses which cost her the trophy. However, she put the frustrations behind her to play her last holes at 3-under and finish with 69. She was just one shot behind Bonita Springs鈥� Kim Benedict who held the lead. Nevertheless, the incoming Rollins College student was satisfied with her finish while looking ahead in optimism.
鈥淚 was very patient because at first the putts weren鈥檛 dropping,鈥� she . 鈥淚t was about continuing to give myself chances and they started dropping on the back nine.鈥�
What is most inspiring about Kondal鈥檚 story is that she started in ninth place at the Florida Junior Girls before qualifying to play in the Florida Women鈥檚 Amateur where she won her first-round match. Having spent a lot of time sharpening her swing, Kondal want to focus on her velocity.
鈥淚鈥檝e been working on my speed,鈥� she . 鈥淚f I don鈥檛 have the right speed, my line doesn鈥檛 matter. I wasn鈥檛 giving myself enough chances. It was short, long. 鈥� very inconsistent. It鈥檚 been getting better.鈥�
At the recent Florida Women鈥檚 Stroke Play Championship, her father Jaspreet Kondal had one request for his daughter.
鈥淚 asked for some birdies for my birthday,鈥� he .
Inasmuch as Kondal started on a poor note, she was able to push the frustration behind her in the later part of the game. From a distant six shot behind the lead held by Elle Nachmann and tying at eight, she made a late run to finish second.
鈥淚 thought that if I was in second, I still had a chance,鈥� she . 鈥淎nd I played the back nine well in the first round so I knew I could make some birdies.鈥�
The result means that Kondal has now finished in the top10 in nine out of her last ten starts, both at FHSAA post-season tournaments and Florida State Golf Association. Although Kondal did not clinch the top spot, she will find solace in the fact that she rallied from Nachmann鈥檚 five-shot lead and narrowed the margin to one shot in the final rounds of the Florida Women鈥檚 Stroke Play Championship.
Moreover, she was able to honor her father鈥檚 birthday wishes with a 7-footer for birdie at No. 11. She also had birdie looks at Nos. 15 and 16 and a chip-in birdie at the 17th. No doubt, her father would have been happier if she had managed one more. Nevertheless, he was every inch proud of his daughter.
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