Annabelle Bang | Junior | Elkhorn High School
Elkhorn High School (EHS) junior Annabelle Bang fell in love with golf when her dad began taking her out to play every other weekend. “At first it was more for fun, but about five years ago I started playing in tournaments and worked on my swing. Golf started as a sport that my dad and I could play together, and now it has turned into a much bigger passion. I remember at one of my first tournaments at Ashland Golf Course I had holed out from 120 yards. That was one of the many moments where I realized that golf was my sport.”
Playing golf with EHS has been a great experience for Bang. “Many of these girls I have known since middle school, which makes the team environment more tight-knit. I really like that the team is so supportive of any golf level. My coaches, Mr. Meyer and Mrs. Struble, are two of the best coaches you can ever ask for. They both make the environment positive, and they are always there to help you get better no matter what.”
EHS girls golf coach Ben Meyer has high praise for Bang. “Annabelle has been one of the most diligent workers I’ve ever had as a player,” he said. “Everything she has overcome is a testament to that work ethic. Her mental fortitude is years beyond her peers as well. She never gets rattled, which is a great characteristic to have as a golf player. It is an honor to be able to coach a player like Annabelle.”
Making it to the state championship has been a challenge for Bang, who has had to overcome several injuries. “I had my first ACL reconstruction surgery in 2021,” she shared. “I had been participating in a soccer tournament when I felt my knee pop, and I realized I had really done something wrong. Then in 2022 my ACL graft had disintegrated within my body, and I needed a second ACL reconstruction surgery. It was a yearlong recovery, so I barely had any time to practice golf in the summer before the 2023 season. During that season, I kept getting better and better each round and ended up placing 10th at the Class B State golf tournament. Overcoming this never-ending injury has just shown me how strong I truly am, and I am so proud of myself for never giving up.”
Bang is motivated by the belief that you can overcome anything. “Once I had my first surgery, I didn’t think I was going to be able to return to sports. The second surgery made me feel like I was always going to be in pain, so sports wouldn’t even be an option. I always strive to be the best person I can be, and I don’t want surgeries to define me. After the surgeries, I made it my goal to prove that you can overcome anything if you believe in yourself.”
Mental toughness is the goal now. “My dad always tells me after a bad shot, ‘Don’t let it affect the next one.’ That little phrase has always stuck with me because it is always hard to bounce back after a bad shot or a bad hole. I make sure that I always have a clear mind. It is very hard to always be positive on the course, but over the years I have built up that toughness, and it has improved my game.”
When she’s not playing golf, Bang is also involved in Students Against Destructive Decisions at EHS. “We work on ways we can spread awareness throughout the school and help people who may be in a tough place.” She also enjoys downtime with friends. “My friends and I try to meet up once every month to catch up on each other’s lives. We have dinner or shop, and some nights we have a sleepover where we talk all night.” Bang plans to attend college as a student athlete, hopefully going into the medical field.
