Southampton Seventh-Grader Wins Suffolk County Girls Golf Championship

Elie Poremba is no stranger to pressure-packed situations on the golf course.

But last Tuesday, May 23, was different.

When she approached the 18th hole at Middle Island Country Club in Yaphank, with a one-stroke lead on the field in the Suffolk County Girls Golf Championship, she had a chance for the first time in her young career to win a tournament while representing her school, Southampton. It was an intense situation for a 13-year-old seventh-grader, playing against girls who were older than her and had been there before.

And she delivered.

Poremba calmly sank a putt to make par and stave off teammate Ella Coady, a senior, and Sophia Corso of Smithtown East, becoming the youngest Mariner to ever win the title.

Poremba led wire to wire, shooting a 77 on the first day and an 80 the next day to claim the win. Coady — who, like Poremba, joined the Southampton varsity girls golf team as a seventh-grader — won the title as a sophomore and was second last year as a junior as well.

Southampton varsity coach Edgar “Hikey” Franklin said he was impressed by Poremba’s composure.

“You’re going against two young ladies that have already been to states and counties, and they know the pressure and know what they need to do,” he said. “That 18th hole is no gimme par — you’ve got to earn it.”

Poremba and Coady created a potent one-two punch for Southampton throughout the season, and will both compete at the state tournament, set for June 3-5, at the Edison Club in Rexford, New York, outside of Albany.

As a team, Southampton finished second in the county tournament.

Poremba’s early success at the varsity level is not much of a surprise given her dedication to the sport at a young age. She began playing when she was just 4, and started competing in tournaments at the age of 7. But she admitted that she was not fully aware of what the county tournament entailed — or even what it was — until just a few days before playing there.

Being able to not only play well but take home the championship in her first time playing in it was not something Poremba said she expected.

“I was just really surprised,” she said. “I just wanted to go there and do my best, and I’m just so proud of myself.”

The relationship between Poremba and Coady has been a productive and mutually beneficial one throughout the season. Both Poremba and Franklin said that Coady was a fantastic mentor, showing her the ropes of competing on a varsity team, and providing leadership for the entire squad. The presence of a new young talent helped push Coady to stay at the top of her game as well.

“They have a very good relationship and are very good friends,” Franklin said. “I look at is as a big sister, little sister relationship. You couldn’t ask for a better big sister to help guide you and show you the ropes. They paired up very well together. Elie being such a good golfer motivated Ella because she had someone right on her tail. It was a great challenge and great push for her, too.”

Poremba said that Coady was the one who explained to her what counties was all about, and added that having her in the final grouping was helpful in keeping her calm. Poremba’s parents, Jason and Jan, did not attend the tournament on either day, a decision they made together with their daughter, deciding it would be best not to distract her.

Elie’s father said he felt a surge of pride when his daughter called to let him know she was in the lead after the first day of play, and said he and his wife are extremely proud that she pulled it off on the final day.

“She’s been playing since she was 4 and competing since she was 7, so it kind of validated all the hard work and time she’s put in,” he said. “We’re super proud of her and so blown away by her. She’s a kind and wonderful person, and super talented in golf — and she’s just 13.”