By Allison Peck
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — North Platte High School golfer Allie Jones is being recognized as the latest North Platte High School Athlete of the Week after a season highlighted by hard work, consistency and a new personal best.
Jones recently shot a 75 at the Ogallala Girls Golf Invite, setting a new personal record.
For Jones, the performance was a reminder that the work put in away from competition can make all the difference.
“It definitely pays off in the offseason,” Jones said. “You can't just work during season. You got to practice in the offseason, and it obviously shows.”
Jones said she doesn't typically keep track of her score during a round. Instead, she focuses on playing each hole and not allowing the numbers — or what other golfers are doing — to get into her head.
After sinking her final putt at Ogallala, Jones finally added up her score.
“Everyone was cheering, and then I added up the total, and I was like, that's a good PR,” she said. “I was very surprised, but I was happy.”
That mental approach is an important part of Jones' game.
“Golf is such a mental sport, so I try to keep it as less stressful as I can,” she said. “Taking away the little things such as adding your score can help your game so much.”
Jones also said she tries not to compare her score to the other golfers in her group.
“You just kind of got to play your game and play your speed, and things will work out for you,” she said.
With districts approaching, Jones and her teammates are using their final practices to focus on the small details of their games. Jones said the team is familiar with the district course and is excited about the opportunity ahead.
“We're working on little fundamentals in practice, which is also good,” Jones said. “You can't work too much on little things that are definitely a huge part in your game.”
Away from the course, Jones has a couple of routines that help fuel her during competition — including a favorite snack.
Her go-to? Welch's fruit snacks and cinnamon-covered apple slices.
And before a meet, Jones said the girls also make a tradition out of grabbing breakfast together before heading to the course.
“That's definitely a big, big thing in my routine, is getting that breakfast with the team before we go our separate ways on the courses,” she said.
Jones is the North Platte High School Athlete of the Week, presented by Steele's Roofing and Construction, the North Platte Public Schools Foundation, Paloochuk Hermann & Worrell, and Orr's Dry Cleaners.