Rising up Ellie Szeryk performed various sports activities, however finally discovered her ardour on the golf course. Right this moment, together with her sights set on taking part in golf on the highest degree, the Canadian Nationwide Group member is assured she has the assist and assets to succeed in that objective.
“Golf was one thing I used to be at all times round. My dad performed it lots and Maddie performed lots. So I used to be simply born into,” mentioned Szeryk, whose older sister Maddie Szeryk is at present in her third 12 months on the LPGA Tour.
Szeryk – whose dad and mom Neil and Karen relocated from London, Ont., shortly after being married – additionally performed aggressive soccer and basketball rising up.
“My mother performed soccer and coached my soccer workforce. I performed each soccer and basketball till the age of 13 however then I began to concentrate on golf,” mentioned the 5 foot ten inch excessive efficiency athlete.
“I actually loved taking part in in golf tournaments and I keep in mind in a single small event I used to be competing in opposition to boys and I chipped in for my first eagle ever. My dad was caddying for me and I keep in mind we have been each fairly enthusiastic about that.”
She provides that a few of her fondest reminiscences rising up was via a wholesome sibling rivalry together with her older sister.
“My dad would exit with us after we have been fairly younger and he would say ‘whoever gained this competitors might decide what we had for lunch’ and Maddie and I’d get so aggressive about it. A few of my fondest childhood reminiscences have been from taking part in golf with Maddie,”
She reminisced.
“I obtained to see Maddie undergo highschool and college and now taking part in professionally and seeing her overcome all these challenges. She’s at all times been my greatest inspiration,” added the beginner squad member.
Much like her older sister, she is devoted to reaching her full potential on the golf course.
“I discovered that if you wish to get to the following degree it’s a must to put in additional work than anybody else. Fortunately Maddie and I come from a extremely hardworking household. My mentality has at all times been that I’m going to work as onerous as my mother and pa do, however put in that work on the golf course,” she mentioned.
The onerous work began to repay for Szeryk in 2017 when the then 15-year-old gained the Ontario Junior Women’ title and the next 12 months she gained the Ontario Ladies’s Novice championship.
Szeryk would go on to attend Texas A&M college and in 2022 transferred to Southern Methodist College.
She has struggled a bit together with her consistency whereas taking part in collegiate golf however managed to win her maiden NCAA event final 12 months. In October of 2023, Szeryk gained the Jim West Problem by going 16 beneath for the event, profitable by one stroke.
“It was my first win since profitable the Ontario Novice so it was a bit emotional. I cried, my household cried,” mentioned the SMU senior. “It was a very good feeling figuring out I might deal with the strain and be capable of pull it off to win by one stroke.”
Szeryk says the latest win has given her a bit extra confidence; and in a sport like golf the place a variety of it’s performed between the ears, that confidence goes a good distance.
“Folks say golf is 75 p.c psychological however I feel it’s much more than that. It’s one thing I’ve been engaged on – simply when it comes to being conscious of my tendencies, acknowledging my fears and studying to allow them to go. I really feel I’m extra in management mentally now,” she mentioned.
“Being in the precise psychological state and having that self-confidence is so essential to discovering success on the golf course.”
The proficient beginner golfer says being a part of the Nationwide Group Program additionally provides her confidence that she’s heading in the right direction.
“Being a part of the Nationwide Group Program has given me the chance to play in so many large tournaments that I’d not have an opportunity to play in in any other case. Golf Canada is actually supportive of their athletes and doing every part they’ll to get to them that subsequent degree,” she mentioned.
Szeryk has had the possibility to expertise what the following degree is like as she competed in a number of LPGA tournaments already together with the 2018 and 2023 CPKC Ladies’s Open and likewise the Ascendant LPGA event in October of 2023.
“The expertise taking part in in LPGA tournaments.was so cool. General, it was only a huge studying expertise,” she mentioned.
“You get to see these gamers are human they usually additionally hit dangerous photographs however they’re simply good at cleansing a number of issues up. It simply gave me reassurance that I don’t should be good and gave me a first-hand have a look at what I wish to do subsequent in my golf journey.”
In keeping with Maddie Szeryk, being on Golf Canada’s Nationwide Group Program supplies it’s athletes with the required assets and assist to succeed in their full potential on the golf course.
“Throughout my time with the Nationwide Group Program, I obtained to play in excessive degree occasions and had an opportunity to check my sport in opposition to the perfect amateurs on the earth. I additionally obtained to play in various LPGA occasions,” mentioned the third 12 months LPGA professional. “The teaching and assist has performed a giant function in getting me to the place I’m. Golf Canada has been superior in assist of my journey.”
The youthful Szeryk sibling will graduate from SMU this spring and with the assist of Golf Canada’s Nationwide Group Program, she is keen to observe in her sister’s footsteps and play the game on the highest degree.
“I’d love to have the ability to compete within the Olympics and likewise play on the LPGA Tour sooner or later however proper now I’m simply engaged on the method to get there; and I’m grateful to have Golf Canada supporting me on this journey,” she mentioned.
“I feel it’s good to have actually large targets as a result of it pushes you to work onerous to attain them.”
