All-Area: Jan Chanpalangsri, girls golfer of the year

Saturday, December 18, 2010
by Paul Ivice

Jan Chanpalangsri credited calmer nerves and a better putting stroke as the biggest reasons for her Class 1A state championship this season.

The St. Andrew's senior edged Spanish River junior Christina Ocampo - who won the Class 2A individual title - as Palm Beach Post Player of the Year.

"I'm usually nervous when I have a short putt," said Chanpalangsri, a native of Thailand.

However, at the state finals at the Ocala Golf Club, Chanpalangsri said, "After I started to make them a lot, I felt more confident about my putting."

Chanpalangsri said this season she "focused on just playing the game" rather than being concerned with winning or losing.

Despite her standout season, Chanpalangsri, who came to St. Andrew's as a sophomore, said she thinks her overall "golf skill is decreasing because I practice way less than when I was in Thailand."

"I don't practice a lot because I'm a boarder (at St. Andrew's) and have no car to drive to a golf course," she said.

So, instead she would practice putting in her room and it paid off.

"This year my putting was really good," she said.

Chanpalangsri's talent impresses her coach, Barbara Mizrahie, who played 14 years on the LPGA Tour.

"She's long, has a phenomenal short game, but most of all, she has a very good attitude about the game," Mizrahie said. "Sometimes she will misjudge the lie or distance, but that's where her mistakes come from and they don't rattle her. The ball always gets launched.

"She can hit every shot in the book and I don't think she ever shot over par all season."

Chanpalangsri, who finished ninth at state as a sophomore and sixth as a junior, has accepted a golf scholarship to Ohio State.

"When she shows up at a tournament, no one knows her," Mizrahie said. "By the time she leaves, everyone knows about her."

GIRLS FIRST TEAM

Christina Ocampo, Spanish River, Junior

Won playoff for third in region, then won the 2A individual state title.

Tess Huber, Lincoln Park Academy, Junior

Won regional playoff to reach state, where she tied for 16th.

Marissa Kay, St. Andrew's, Sophomore

Moved up to sixth in Class 1A finals with final-round 69.

Caroline Araskog, Benjamin, Freshman

Won Region 7, then finished seventh in Class 1A finals.

Kelly Okun, Benjamin, Senior

Was sixth in Region 7, then 15th in Class 1A state finals.

Kailey Walsh, Boca Raton, Junior

Won Region 7, then finished 11th in Class 2A state finals.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Barbara Mizrahie, St. Andrew's

Coached St. Andrew's to a fifth-place finish in the Class 1A state tournament, which was impressive considering Jan Chanpalangsri was the only Scot senior.

GIRLS SECOND TEAM

Radi Sauro, freshman, Santaluces

Lucy Robson, sophomore, Jensen Beach

Samantha Smolen, senior, Santaluces

Melissa Welch, senior, Wellington

Alana Ward, senior, Martin County

Mary Janiga, eighth grade, American Heritage