Yogi Berra once said that baseball is 90 percent mental, and the other half is physical.

He could just as well have been talking about golf.

Century's McKenzie McMillan has learned one of the biggest secrets to success on the links is confidence. Now that she has built hers up a bit, McMillan, a junior, has grown into one of the top players in the West Region.

"I just started trusting my swing a little more," McMillan said. "It's a matter of experience and getting out and playing a little more, and just trying to do a lot of work."

McMillan and her Century teammates have put in a lot of rounds over the summer. And though defending state champion Minot remains a clear favorite, the Patriots are looking strong heading into the 2009 season, which tees off today with the Turtle Mountain Invitational.

"My kids have really been dedicated," said Century coach Lynn Gress. "They've been playing tournaments all summer long. They're working at golf courses, and I see them all the time hitting balls, putting.

"I couldn't be happier with what they've done trying to get better."

Last season Century had a quartet of sophomores - McMillan, Adrianna Harris, Krissy Aasen and Alexa Dvorak - finish among the West Region's top 16 in season average. Classmate Megan Larson was also in the top 25.

With all those players back, plus new talent, the Patriots are hoping to improve upon their fifth-place showing at last year's state tournament.

"We've got pretty good depth, a lot of kids with about the same ability,"Gress said.

McMillan is a perfect example of the way the Patriots have worked hard to improve this offseason.

In addition to playing in numerous tournaments, she went to a PGA putting clinic in Brainerd, Minn.

"They helped with your stroke, and they gave you a different way of looking at the putt," McMillan said.

Gress said McMillan, who placed fourth at the 2008 West Region tournament and tied for 17th at state, stays out of trouble on the course.

"She's just so consistent," he said. "She hits lots of fairways, and when she misses a green, it isn't by much."

McMillan's focus this summer has been on her short game.

"I've just kept working on putting an chipping mostly," she said. "My short game still needs work, and that's where most of your shots come."

The highlight of McMillan's summer season was when she won the state junior tournament, topping a field that included Jamestown's Laura Kraft, the defending state champion. She carded a 160 for the two-day event, edging Kraft by two strokes.

"That was at Hawktree and Riverwood," she said. "It was good to get out there for the first time and get the summer off to a good start."

McMillan is hoping a summer of hard work ensures the high school season starts in similar fashion.

"It's nice to know that when you practice hard, it shows in your score,"she said.