Kate Hildahl’s summer wasn’t just a day at the beach.
Only weeks after the Oregon women’s golf season ended with a 13th-place finish at the NCAA West Regional – the Ducks’ fourth regionals appearance in eight years – Hildahl, a junior from Tualatin, Ore., was preparing herself to qualify for the 2008 U.S. Women’s Amateur, held Aug. 4-10 at Eugene Country Club. The national event is the initial stepping stone on the path to LPGA qualifying school, and a potential professional career.
Her first stop in the summer was the 99th Oregon Amateur (June 17-21, Bend Golf and Country Club), a six-day event with a format identical to the U.S. Women’s Am. The first two days of action were 18-hole qualifying rounds, followed by four days of match play until a champion was crowned.
“I had no expectations,” Hildahl said about the tournament. “I just wanted to play some good golf, and if that took me through to the end, then great, but I definitely wasn’t thinking of winning it.”
After making it through qualifying with medalist honors by shooting a 6-over 150 (rounds of 74 and 76 on the par 72 course), that’s exactly what she did. Hildahl built up significant momentum in match play, beating her first-round opponent, 4 and 3, and her second-round opponent, 4 and 3. She found herself matched up with Linfield College women’s golf coach Karly Mills in the final.
With a little coaching from her mom, Lorna, who caddied for her in the Oregon Amateur, Hildahl beat Mills 6 and 5 to win the tournament.
“It all came down to the putter and short game,” Mills said on the Oregon Golf Association Web site. “She didn’t miss anything, and I struggled with my putting. I didn’t get any birdies which is really unusual, but that’s golf. That’s how it goes sometimes. Today she was the better player. I had some opportunities, but she just kept draining putts. What are you gonna do?”
“Going into the last round, I was definitely more nervous than the others, knowing that was it,” Hildahl said. “After the first 18 holes, I just felt really good.”
Hildahl had attempted to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 2007, but failed to make the cut. At a July 16 qualifying event at Portland Country Club, Hildahl shot a 1-over 74 to finish third in the 53-woman field and make the 2008 U.S. Amateur. Seven golfers ended up making the Women’s Amateur from the qualifier.
“I was just happy to be in the field,” Hildahl said. “My next goal was to make the cut.”
Being able to play on a home course, Eugene Country Club, provided an extra incentive.
“I knew the course so well, and it was really great to be able to represent our team,” Hildahl said. “I knew some of the women who were helping to coordinate the event, so it was really nice to be familiar with the area and familiar with the people.”
The journey ended for Hildahl in stroke play, however, as she posted a two-day total of 158 (78-80), six strokes shy of the cut line. But the lessons of a big stage proved invaluable.
“It’s really interesting to know that most of those girls who are playing in that tournament will go on to Q school,” Hildahl said. “It does make me think about what I could do once I graduate. It gives me something to shoot for.”
“I really got to experience that next level of golf. It makes me realize that I do want to keep improving.”
Qualifying for the prestigious tournament was the end of her summer hot streak that former Oregon women’s golf head coach Shannon Rouillard commented on during the summer in an Oregon press release.
“Kate had a great run on the back nine and continues to play great golf,” Rouillard said. “She came off a strong spring, and is continuing to mature to even higher levels this summer.”
The U.S. Women’s Amateur champion was Duke standout Amanda Blumenhurst, who beat Arizona State senior and 2008 NCAA individual champion Azahara Munoz 2 and 1 in the match play final.
It could be said, however, that Hildahl got over any disappointment she harbored quickly. She entered the 2008 PNGA Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, at Hangman Valley Golf Club in Spokane, Wash. on Sept. 1-2, and won the two-round tournament by four strokes.
“I just love playing tournaments. I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”
Fast-forward through the fall season, and Hildahl has kept building momentum. She finished in third place at the Giustina Memorial Collegiate, held at Trysting Tree Golf Club and hosted by Oregon State, and carded a 2-under 70 in the second round of the event, her lowest round of golf as a Duck.
The Oregon women begin the 2009 spring golf season at the Kiawah Island International on Feb. 22, but a critical person will be missing. Head coach Shannon Rouillard was removed of her position and reassigned within the Oregon athletic department on Nov. 11. Assistant coach Meredith Jones has been named interim head coach in Rouillard’s stead. Hildahl would not comment on the Ducks’ sudden coaching change.
Even with a new leader at the helm for the women’s golf team, the direction still remains clear.
“I think we’re all really focused on making it to nationals,” Hildahl said. “Just take it one step further than last year.”
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