Jeff Moeller, sports correspondent
For Alexa Mohler, playing golf was a natural fit. The Richmond Hill junior began playing at a young age, and the golf course soon became a staple in her life.
“I’ve been going to the golf course with my dad (Josh) my whole life,” reflected Mohler. “I started to hit balls and try to play when I was around four. When I was nine, I began taking lessons with an instructor from Crosswinds Golf Club. I began competing in tournaments around 10.”
Despite family influences, Mohler paved her own way in the sport.
“My dad and grandpa (Tom Mohler) both play golf,” said Mohler. “Both of them really wanted me to play, but my dad would not pressure me into it and waited until I came to him expressing my desire to play.”
Mohler played a pivotal role in leading the Wildcats to a school-best second-place finish at the recent GHSA Class 6A championships. Individually, Mohler finished third overall, shooting 74 on both days and finishing with a four-over 148.
Head coach Ethan Huff has watched Mohler develop into a driving force on the team. Mohler also received an all-state nomination. She currently has a 0.4 handicap, and her scoring average is 75.5.
“Alexa is our leader,” said Huff. “I can always count on her to hold her teammates accountable at practice. She is always striving to get better, and it shows by her dedication to practice.”
That dedication stemmed from her, her father, and her mother's (Jacqueline) determination to keep her on the path.
“I mostly played in US Kids local tournaments to get a feel for competition,” stated Mohler. “These tournaments allowed my dad to caddie me and teach me.
“As soon as I outgrew my competition in Jr. PGA and US kids tournaments, my mom would place me in bigger ones with better competition.”
Her mother has played a major role and teamed up with her father in guiding Mohler’s overall progression.
“My parents have been the biggest influences in my career,” said Mohler. “My mom makes my schedules and makes sure I am in the right place at the right time, while my dad has been there to teach and push me to work hard to get what I wanted.”
She has also received plenty of other support that has continued to fuel her love for the game.
“Outside of family, both the people at Richmond Hill Golf Club and my teammates on the High School team make my love for the game and the atmosphere connected to it grow more and more,” she added.
Three years ago, Mohler believed her game had raised another level.
“My game began to come together when I joined the Player Development Program at Sea Island’s Performance Center,” stressed Mohler. “All of my coaches there work very hard to ensure that I have all the materials and instruction I need to continue to grow my game.”
Her overall game has steadily improved.
“My short game has almost always been a strength of mine, along with my drives,” said Mohler. “I rarely miss fairways with my driver in my hand. My approach shots are a big struggle of mine, but I consistently keep getting better with it each year.”
With a hectic schedule, Mohler has managed to keep her studies in the forefront. She had a 4.15 grade point average and strives to keep everything properly aligned.
“I stay very focused in school and get my work done as quickly as possible,” said Mohler. “As long as I get all of my work done in class, I am free to practice the rest of the day without stress.
“Taking online dual enrollment classes has also helped to give me more time in the day to be at the golf course. I find time to do my dual enrollment and regular class work during my in-school classes.”
With the school year over, Mohler’s golf schedule will continue at a rapid pace. She will practice almost every day, and plans to play a round or two each week with her dad, friends, or teammates.
Mohler recently competed in a Peggy Kirk Bell tournament, a girls’ golf tour set across the country but hosted mainly in the South. She finished the first day in fourth place, but missed the cut on the next day and ended tied for 30th place. Mohler will also play in GSGA and AJGA tournaments this summer.
At the Bell tournament, Mohler was reminded of the other aspect of the game.
“I believe I just lost my mental game,” noted Mohler. “Golf is mostly mental, so when something goes wrong, it can be very hard to get it out of your head. I was plus-one after my first nine, then missed two small putts and let it stay in my head.”
Mohler will play in the Georgia Women’s Amateur in Athens beginning Monday, and is confident she can regain her stroke.
“I hope to redeem myself this upcoming week at the Women’s Am,” said Mohler. “I will have my dad as my caddie, so he can help me to stay in control of my emotions and my mental game.”
Huff is happy to have her back on the Richmond Hill greens for another season.
Every year she has improved her season average,”said Huff. “She is not only a great athlete, but she also is a leader in the classroom. Her passion and drive in the classroom and on the golf course is the reason she will be playing at the next level.”