The 22-year-old, who studies physical education and history at University of Victoria in British Columbia, started playing golf before the age of seven. She has competed in numerous tournaments and made both the provincial junior and amateur golf teams
During the first week of June, Balser played at the Royal Canadian Golf Association university college championships in Fredericton, N.B. Balser played against University of British Columbia’s Kylie Barros and the two were tied for first after the third round, but Balser came out on top.
“It was really exciting because my mom and dad were there. The final round was cancelled because of rain so I had to play in a playoff. It was a four hole playoff and I birdied the last hole and she (Barros) parred,” said Balser.
Just a few days later she traveled to Spain to compete in the 2010 World University Games where she placed 12th.
“It was amazing. I’ve been to (the Games) twice before, in Thailand and South Africa, but this course was crazy and built on a mountain,” said Balser. “My goal was to make top 10 but I had one bad round.”
To prepare for the competition, Balser said she just played a lot of golf.
“I’ve matured as a player and the coaches finally see that and my game has improved a lot,” Balser said. “I even got a compliment from a South African coach saying he liked watching my game because it was mature.”
Balser, who does not plan to compete this summer, is in Digby for two weeks before visiting family in Toronto.
Her advice for beginner golfers is, “keep playing and have fun. If you’re not having fun that it becomes kind of a chore.”
ldelong@digbycourier.ca
