Mountaineers coach Loren Souder hadn\u2019t witnessed a hole-in-one until Heckman\u2019s breakthrough at Foxchase. Not in his coaching career, not in his leisure playing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was standing with one of my players on the ninth tee box when she hit that shot,\u201d Souder said. \u201cWe were standing there looking at it, and it landed 15-20 feet short of the pin. And I was like, \u2018Oh, wow, great shot.\u2019 And then it started rolling. And then I looked at Sam (Buckwalter), and I was like, \u2018That’s gonna go in.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really cool to be able to see that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brayden Souder, a former standout at Penn Manor, was following his past teammates at Overlook when Heckman plugged her second ace. He immediately texted his dad the news.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was shocked when he sent me that,\u201d Loren Souder said.<\/p>\n
Heckman is still taken aback by the turn of events. Having put in the work this offseason \u2014 from lessons, solo practices and competing in tournaments \u2014 she sees the aces as an added reward.<\/p>\n
But it doesn\u2019t mean she\u2019s stopping or settling. No, it\u2019s stoked a brighter, higher fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve learned that, this year, I can handle the pressure,\u201d Heckman said. \u201cIt’s not unbearable. It\u2019s just been more fun this year, and I’ve put a lot less pressure on myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heckman burst onto the prep circuit last fall by placing 10th at the PIAA Class 3A championships, penciling rounds of 79 and 70 at Penn State\u2019s White Course. She started the roll with a tied-for-sixth finish at the two-day District Three tournament in 156 strokes (12-over par).<\/p>\n
Heckman played with the heavy hitters last season. Now she\u2019s one of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely have a high standard for myself,\u201d she said. \u201cI would say that I’ve got a higher standard just because I did really, really well last year, and that kind of set a really high bar. But I’m definitely trying to exceed goals that I’ve set for myself this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis fall, I’ve just been thinking about basics when I’m out there and just taking it shot for shot, kind of just trying to keep my mind as empty as possible and at peace with what I’m doing. And it’s been working a lot better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Souder notices a calmer demeanor, a stronger self-trust in his underclassman. Heckman has a 75 average through four matches, with an even-par 72 at Four Seasons being her lowest mark.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you come off a freshman season like she had last year,\u201d Souder said, \u201cyou would kind of think some kids might be like, \u2018I got this. I’m good. Why do I need to continue to practice? I’m one of the best girls in the L-L League.\u2019 And that’s not Makenna at all. She is there before practice starts. She’s there after practice ends. She’s just a grinder. She works nonstop.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the grind comes results. With results will come more high-fives and words of congratulations.<\/p>\n
It\u2019ll continue to sink in for Heckman.<\/p>\n