Having played golf for a long time, NIU women’s golfer Abbie Many has learned one important thing that has helped her improve her game.

The attitude you carry out onto the course with you is just as important as any skill you boast.

The senior from Mount Prospect likes to combine fun and seriousness when she takes the course, but knows when to display them.

“I like to talk to my competitors and have a good time,” she said. “Competing is being able to enjoy yourself.”

But there’s also a time to put on the game face.

“I play better when I’m more laid back,” she said. “You kind of have to balance the two. If you let your emotions get the best of you, you’re not going to shoot well.”

That’s one of the attributes that has led Many to some early success this season. On Sept. 16 and 17, Many won the Western Illinois Invitational, shooting a two-day total of 150 to win by two strokes.

Coach Pam Tyska was very happy with the win, considering Many was runner-up at the event last year.

“It was nice to avenge last year’s loss and grasp the top honors,” Tyska said. “She had a back injury at conference last spring and wrestled around with it all summer, so it was wonderful to see her turn around and play so solidly.”

The news of the win came as a surprise to Many when she reached the 18th hole.

“I had no clue I was gonna win,” she said. “I knew I had the lead going in to the final round. I tried to put that aside. I tried to par out.”

Tyska saw a lot of positives from Many during the WIU Invite, most notably her tempo and demeanor.

“She didn’t get too up or down,” Tyska said. “She stayed within herself.”

Many just wanted to play smart.

“I wanted to play more maturely and not let every shot get to me,” Many said. “I learned to be more steady mentally. There’s a lot of choices out there and I’m just trying to make the right ones.”

These skills have not only turned Many into one of the Huskies’ best players but have made her a leader on the team as well. She was a co-captain last year with Lisa Bailey, which has helped her in being a leader for her younger teammates.

“She has a lot of effect on the younger players,” Tyska said. “She knows the direction we like to guide everybody. She knows how to keep everybody going towards that goal.

“Her and her teammates are able to mold and set footprints for others to follow.”

Many is not only enjoying individual success, but the team is also experiencing success.

“It’s gone really well,” Many said of the season to date. “We only lost by one stroke last week [at WIU]. We’ve got great players on the team. But I think it can get better.”