All-Area Girls’ Golfer of the Year: Glendale’s Alaan caps season with dramatics
Darkness fell while Elis Alaan practiced at the driving range at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena.
A lack of sunlight didn’t deter Alaan from continuing to improve her swing. The Glendale High girls’ senior golfer came prepared, going into her equipment bag and pulling out a flashlight that she placed near the tee so she had some semblance of light to continue striking balls.
A throng of golfers on the range and the two courses nestled against the Rose Bowl had already packed up their belongings and left. Now alone, Alaan had no such plans to vacate the premises and continued to hit balls up to about an hour after daylight evaporated.
“I couldn’t see where the balls were landing, but I could see how I was swinging,” Alaan said. “I had a couple of buckets of balls and the time to continue hitting because you want to keep practicing so you are prepared when it’s time to compete.
“I found other golf balls near the front of the range that had been left there and just started hitting. You can practice all kinds of different shots.”
An impeccable work ethic has put Alaan at the top of her game.
She turned in an excellent season as the lone Glendale High athlete to compete in the Pacific League. It culminated in Alaan finishing sixth in league and appearing in the CIF postseason for the first time. Alaan finished with 41.6 average in league and 40 overall en route to advancing to the CIF Southern Section Individual Final.
It’s because of those accomplishments that Alaan has been voted the 2017 All-Area Girls’ Golfer of the Year by the sports writers of the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and La Cañada Valley Sun.
Alaan, who also competes on the school’s boys’ team, had a solid campaign which included a first-place effort in a league match. Alaan also became the first Glendale girls’ golfer to advance to the second stage of CIF competition since Tammy Panich in 2008.
“The one thing you learn about the game is that you have to always be dedicated and willing to put in the time.”
— Glendale High’s Elis Alaan
“The one thing you learn about the game is that you have to always be dedicated and willing to put in the time,” said Alaan, who will attend Morehead State University in Kentucky next fall. “You have to go all out and practice with a purpose. I read books on golf, watch videos and different tournaments.
“Your golf swing determines how well you can do. You can develop your own swing and make the most out of it.”
Alaan took first in a league match Sept. 6 with a two-over-par 39 at Hansen Dam Golf Course in Pacoima. That effort got Alaan on the right track the remainder of the season.
At the league finals on Oct. 10 at Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai, the site of the CIF Southern Section Northern Individual Final, Alaan went to work to chase down her goal of making the postseason. Alaan carded a 10-over-par 80, a bit of a disappointing result for her, but enough to extend the season.
“It wasn’t the score I wanted, but I’d never played that course before,” Alaan said. “When I left, I had a better idea of what to expect the next time. I had wanted to finish in the top three in league, but I also wanted to give myself a chance to move on. I had a small blowup on one or two holes early on and I just had to lick my wounds and get back to the basics.”
Alaan returned to Soule on Oct. 23 ready to take the next step. She kept her season alive in dramatic fashion.
Alaan made a 20-foot shot for birdie on the par-four 12th to shoot a four-over-par 76. Alaan tied for 27th to move on to the CIF Individual Finals at River Ridge Golf Course in Oxnard.
It wasn’t easy for Alaan, who recorded a double-bogey on the par-three 10th hole and had a par on the par-five 11th hole.
Alaan hit a tee shot on the 12th hole that veered to the right. She then had a shot that went over a tree and landed on the green before converting a 20-foot putt to advance. Alaan was one of 36 from the field of 128 to qualify for the next stage.
“There were a few trees and a lot of dirt in playing through the 12th hole,” Alaan said. “I knew I had to make my move approaching those final shots.
“I lost my ball briefly on the final hole and then found it. So, I had to figure out all of the possibilities ... knowing I needed a birdie to advance. I got a real good shot on to the green and it set me up. Once I made that shot for birdie, I was so relieved and happy. It’s a shot that I’ll be replaying in my mind for a long time.”
Glendale coach Anthony Mohr watched in amazement.
“One thing that I had been thinking leading up to that last hole was how much Elis had improved her mental aspect of the game,” Mohr said. “It’s pretty easy to get wound up, with so much on the line in a situation like that.
“You want to always be perfect, but you have to find a way to stay composed when seizing the moment. That’s exactly what she did on the final hole. She’s an excellent overall golfer and she did a lot to make the school and I proud of her.”
Alaan traveled back to Ventura County to participate at the CIF Individual Final on Nov. 2. Playing at another venue for the first time, Alaan had a a 17-over-par 89 to tie for 58th.
“It was so great just to get there and compete with some of the best golfers around Southern California,” Alaan said. “It was a tough course and very windy.
“I was disappointed in the way I played and it just wasn’t meant to be. It’s another good learning experience for me.”
Before heading to Morehead, Alaan will look to further sharpen her skills while playing on the boys’ team for a fourth straight season in the spring.
Burroughs coach Greg Everhart marveled at Alaan’s ability to elevate her overall game.
“She seemed to do better in high-pressure situations,” said Everhart, the All-Area Girls’ Golf Coach of the Year. “She sets goals for herself and constantly challenges herself to get better.
“Some of that comes from her being the only girl to play on the boys’ team. She’s found a way to be consistent with her overall game and it’s put her in position to turn in some great efforts along the way.”
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
