Gabrielle Filer was nine years old when she started golfing. Now, she’s a senior on the girls’ golf team and their top player.
What started as a pastime shared with her father has become an integral part of Filer’s life and the pinnacle of her hopes for college.
“Golf is just something I love to do,” Filer said. “I’ve stayed with it, honestly, because I love the competition, and I just love improving and getting better. I want to go to college for golf, so that’s definitely what has been pushing me to get better.”
Filer currently holds every one of the girls’ golf records. She shot the lowest score on nine holes with a score of 39 and the lowest score on 18 holes with 83 strokes. These achievements did not come without hard work; however.
“If you don’t have a good mental fortitude, you can’t play well,” Filer said. “Sometimes that can be hard, but I try to remember what I know and what I’ve practiced. Then it’s just automatic.”
If there’s one thing Filer knows, it’s about competing at Districts. In the 2022 season, she placed fourth at the event, and in both 2023 and 2024 she placed third.
“I’ve definitely improved from past seasons,” Filer said. “I know at Districts [last year] I dropped 10 strokes, which was pretty cool.”
This season, Filer and some of her teammates competed in the girls’ golf Districts on Thursday, Oct. 2. Beforehand, Filer reflected on the importance of the event.
“I’m probably most excited about Districts for the memories and being with my team afterward,” Filer said. “I’m really going to miss my team. I’ve always loved having a new team every year, and this year there are four seniors [on the team] who are my best friends, so it’s going to be so sad.”
For her senior year at the competition, Filer placed third once again with a score of 84.
“It felt good,” Filer said. “I’m glad I’ve placed every year, and I’m just grateful that I got to hold the records and had fun doing it.”
Girls’ golf coach Joel Gilbert has been Filer’s coach for the past four years.
“Filer is an excellent golfer,“ Gilbert said. “Her scores have gradually come down each season and currently, [she] is shooting around an 80 [strokes per 18 holes].”
Her average score for nine holes stands at about 43 strokes.
“[She] has set the standard for girls’ golf in Altoona,” Gilbert said. “She owns all the records on nine holes and 18 holes for an Altoona player. She is a once in a decade kind of athlete.”
While Filer is the lead golfer, she’s also a team player.
“She’s very hardworking and willing to help others,” fellow girls’ golfer Bailey Diehl said. “Golfing with her is so fun because it doesn’t feel so much like a competition, it just feels like two friends golfing together.”
Although Filer is a senior this year, her golf career won’t be ending when she gets her high school diploma.
“I want to go to college for golf,” Filer said. “That’s what’s been pushing me to get better this season.”
