Laila Golla is a freshman golfer for the Foxes who helped lead the girls team to its fifth consecutive WPIAL Class 4A Section 4 title. Individually, she qualified for the WPIAL playoffs and has a bright future ahead of her, not only with her personal game but also with her contributions to uphold a team tradition of excellence.
We chatted with Laila to learn a little bit more about her.
How long have you been playing?
Laila: I have played golf since I was 6 years old.
Who or what inspired you to pick up the game?
Laila: My mom and dad both play golf, along with my two brothers. They strongly encouraged my brothers and me to play because it was a lifetime sport, good for both professional and social reasons.
Did you play in any tournaments over the summer?
Laila: I played in the junior championship at Green Oaks Country Club, a 36-hole event sponsored by the Women’s Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania. I shot a 108 in the first round and a 98 in the second. I was really frustrated with my game that day, and it really pushed me to get better and be more consistent. I also played in the drive chip and putt qualifier and moved on to the regional. I got second place for drive and first place for putt at the qualifier, but, unfortunately, didn’t perform well at the regional.
What do you believe are your strengths as a player and as a person?
Laila: As a player, I consistently hit further than other girls my age. I think my strengths as a person are compassion, intelligence, and overall kindness. I try to be sure to make everyone feel included and prioritize helping others.
You qualified for WPIALs as a freshman, which is impressive. What was your first experience at sectionals like?
Laila: I started off very poorly with a double bogey and triple bogey. However, I started to get into the rhythm and then shot pars and bogeys to finish the front nine with a 45. The trees were a huge challenge for me, because many of my shots ended up hitting a tree and coming down, which was frustrating. Then, I started off the back nine with a par, a birdie, and a par. My putting began to come back, and I was feeling pretty confident. In the end, I ended up having two blow-up holes, but I made the cut of 80 and hope to play more consistently in the next round.
Do you have any other interests besides golf?
I play tennis almost as avidly as golf, but for now think I will stick with golf. I also volunteer in the community a lot, and one of the most rewarding things I’ve done so far was to volunteer over the summer at a nursing home called Concordia of Fox Chapel. It is a facility strictly for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, and it really opened my eyes to how much I can impact someone’s day just by being there.