Media Guide - New York State Golf Association

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DeGroodt Looks to Capture Back-to-
Back Women’s Amateur Titles
It was only one year ago when the Women’s
State Amateur Championship experienced a
rare, storybook ending. On a day that saw other
golfers falter, Victoria DeGroodt remained steadfast
and persevered. DeGroodt began the day
nine strokes off the leader then went on to win
the Championship by a single stroke. The rising
college sophomore recalls the day “As kind of
a surprise, one that just came out of nowhere. I
was like nine strokes back and thought I had no
chance of winning, it was unreal.” Specifically
DeGroodt credits holes 10 and 11 on the back
nine as opportunites that let her score low and
give her final round the boost it needed!
In her year since winning the New York
State Women’s Amateur Championship, De-
Groodt attended her first year of college at the
University South Carolina- Beaufort and received
a scholarship to play on the USCB Women’s Golf
Team. She describes her experience playing at
the collegiate level as one of a typical freshman.
“It was good, being a freshman, I didn’t expect to
play much. I think, I played in 10-out-of-12 tournaments
that we had and I didn’t play as well as
I wanted to but it was a good experience, playing
that type of competition.” DeGroodt will return to
her team in the fall of 2012.
Now the question is can DeGroodt become
a back-to-back NYS Women’s Amateur
Champion? The field at Seneca Falls will be 63
women strong with many familiar faces returning
such as, Danielle Fuss and Teresa Cleland.
DeGroodt, although not familiar with the course,
is confident in her ability to again be a contender
for the title. When asked whether or not she feels
pressure going into the Championship, DeGroodt
said “I don’t feel any pressure but I would definitely
like to come out on top again.” Quite possibly
her carefree attitude can be accredited to her
daily prctice schedule. DeGroodt says “I go out
on my own and practice for about an hour and
a half every day. When I play, I see what needs
work and what doesn’t and I’m sure to improve
on that the next day.” Further, DeGroodt says
“I have focus, a bad shot doesn’t really weigh
me down because I know there are so many other
shots out there and there are so many other things
that can be happening to other people [on the
course].”
Really, only time will tell whether or not Victoria
DeGroodt will experience the same success
this year as the last. Still, one thing is for sure, she
is definitely gunning for that title.