Athlete of the Week: Carie Ziebell

On Oct. 28, 12-year-old Carie Ziebell was named the Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association Futures Tour Player of the Year for the Futures Girls division. The Sarasota School of the Arts and Sciences seventh-grader finished the season with a second-place finish at the Futures Tour Finale at Peridia Golf & Country Club.

What does it mean to you to be the Player of the Year?
It means a lot, because I’ve only been doing tournaments since April.

What was your reaction when you learned you were the Player of the Year?
I wasn’t expecting to win. I was like, “Really? Did you mean to pick someone else?”

How long have you been golfing?
About two years. We moved to Waterlefe from Chicago and there was a camp going on, so I decided to try it. I found out I was pretty good at it and wanted to try playing the sport on a regular basis.

What do you enjoy the most about golf?
Just the experience and how it feels after I hit a really good shot. I’ve got lots of people who support me, so the whole experience, in general, is the best thing.

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?
It would be cool to be on the PGA (Tour), but if not that, then I want to be a makeup artist.

Do you have any siblings?
I have two older brothers, Lou and Derek.

What’s your favorite subject?
World history. I like learning about different cultures. It’s really cool.

Who is your biggest role model?
My golf coach, Mr. (Steve) Dietz. He taught me everything, and I wouldn’t be where I am without him. I hope to be as good as he is one day.

What’s your favorite Olympic sport?
Gymnastics. It’s cool. I can’t imagine if they fell.

Do you have a favorite movie?
“The Hunger Games.” The book is really good, too.