This isn’t the first time Abby Vernier has earned an award from the Pensacola News Journal this week.
But this award is definitely minimal compared to her accomplishment earlier this week.
After a third-place finish at the Class 2A state golf tournament in Howey-in-the-Hills, Vernier cemented herself as one of the area’s top high school golfers. She carded a two-day total of 148, bouncing back on the second day with a one-over par 72.
For her efforts, Vernier was named the PNJ Athlete of the Week after mustering 43.91% of the poll’s votes.
On Friday, Vernier was announced as the PNJ Girls Golfer of the Year. Safe to say she had a solid junior season with West Florida, which, as a team, made it to the region tournament for the first time in program history.
Next she has a few big tournaments coming up to start her offseason from high school golf. And she’s still got one more season at the high school level to accomplish some lofty – but definitely within reach – goals her senior year.
Here’s a quick question-and-answer session with Vernier after she spoke with PNJ Sports Reporter Ben Grieco.
Q & A with West Florida golfer Abby Vernier
PNJ: Overall, for your junior season, how did you think the year went?
Abby Vernier: “It was so much fun. We had a great team this year. Everyone was nice. … It was a fun time making it to regionals for the first time in school history. We were all in the hotel room, having fun. … Then I made it to state, which was fun.”
PNJ: What’s it like going to regionals as a team, especially since it was the first time?
AV: “It’s a totally different experience. Your practice rounds and dinners with them, it gave me a taste of what college golf would be like. It made me excited for the future.”
PNJ: Speaking of the state tournament, you finished in a tie for third. What was working for you during the tournament?
AV: “The first day, I was struggling a little bit. I had two tricky holes that raised my score a bit. Other than that, I feel like I played pretty solid. There’s some tight holes on the course, but I just had to recover a little bit with a solid short game.”
PNJ: With how close you were to the top, does it give you any sort of fuel for your senior year?
AV: “Definitely. I want to win it next year, so we’ll see what happens.”
PNJ: How about long-term? Have you thought about any of those big goals are?
AV: “I want to get my scoring average down a little bit. I can’t remember what it is right now, but closer to even-par – maybe under-par. I want to play in college, as well. … I don’t think I’ll go pro. It’s not really in my vision.”
PNJ: Outside of high school golf, do you think all the tournaments in the offseason help you prepare for the fall?
AV: “Absolutely. I know other states, their season is in the spring. Coming straight from summer golf to high school golf is really helpful because you’re still in that competitive mindset.”
PNJ: Do you have any tournaments throughout the winter?
AV: “Florida is all-year-round for golf. But I don’t have as many tournaments as I do during the summer, but I try to still keep warm.”
PNJ: Do you have any tournaments coming up soon?
AV: “Yes. I have one in New Orleans in early December, then one in Point Clear – the tournament of champions for SJGT – and then I think I’ll play in the Tom Dorsey.”
PNJ: Now for some quick ones. Do you have any pre-match superstitions or traditions that you follow?
AV: “I say a little prayer, and then me and my parents have a small talk.”
PNJ: Any go-to snack or meal during the round or before the round?
AV: “Before the round, I usually have an egg sandwich – like a bacon, egg and cheese – or a bowl of yogurt. Then during the round, I have a peanut butter and banana sandwich cut into quarters, and I’ll eat a part of it every four holes.”
PNJ: Do you listen to any music before a round or when you’re warming up?
AV: “I listen to a lot of music. I like rock, reggae, country, really anything.”
PNJ: Anybody specific?
AV: “Bob Marley or Led Zeppelin.”
PNJ: Is there a dream course you’ve always wanted to play at?
AV: “My dream course was Pebble Beach, but I got to play that over the summer. That was really fun to achieve.”
PNJ: Anywhere else you’ve got your eye on now?
AV: “Probably St. Andrew’s. It’s a classic. That would be fun to play.”
PNJ: How about a dream golfer that you’ve always wanted to play with?
AV: “Nelly Korda, Viktor Hovland and Tiger Woods.”
PNJ: Are there any major golf influences that you follow?
AV: “I love watching Good Good (a golf brand and a group of golfers on YouTube). … Nelly Korda, I follow her a lot. And then Ellie Hildreth, she’s a junior golfer that’s a year older than me. She has a lot of drills and fun videos to watch.”
