June 26, 2007

TheACC.com introduces you to the league's
athletes, coaches and administrators each week.

Amanda Blumenherst
Duke
Year: Rising Junior
Women's Golf
Hometown: Scotsdale, AZ
Major: History
Favorite flavor ice cream: Mint Chocolate Chip

Just halfway into her college career, Amanda Blumenherst already has a list of accomplishments that is second to none. The two-time National Player of the Year posted a school-record 71.00 stroke average last year and helped the Blue Devils to their third straight national championship. This week, Blumenherst returns to the U.S. Women's Open looking to improve on her 10th place finish from a year ago.

How did you get started playing golf?
My whole family plays golf. My grandpa was a golf pro, my aunt and uncle are golf pros. my dad played college golf. my parents met on a golf course. I really couldn't tell you an exact age, I was on the golf course since I was walking. my dad would put me on the green when he was putting. I never started playing seriously until 10 though.

What has been your greatest accomplishment so far as an athlete?
I would have to say being named National Player of the Year two years in a row. Just because it's a combination of the last two years, playing solid golf and working hard.

What do you still hope to accomplish in the future?
In college, I would love to be player of the year two more times and bring home a few more national titles for Duke. Once I'm out of college, I would like to play on the tour and hope to have some success there.

Who was your most influential role model?
I would have to say my parents just because they are both such positive people and they are so dedicated in everything they do that they have really just influenced me in golf and just life in general. You know, always have the "glass-half-full" outlook on life. They have influenced me the most.

What was the best advice you ever received from a coach?
Just recently at nationals, coach told us just to be patient. He knew we had the talent to win and the talent to play well and we just needed to be patient and it paid off in the end.

What's your most memorable moment in sports?
In college, I would have to say winning nationals two years in a row. There was only one other team that did that, so it was neat to do it again and start to make history a little. I think in junior golf, I played in the Junior Solheim Cup team, which was Europe vs. the United States. We won when it was in Minnesota and I was one of the last groups when I was with a partner, and it was neat to have both teams watch us come up on the last hole, and have my parents there. I stuck it really close and my partner made a put. It was fun.

Out of all the awards that you have earned, is there an award that means more than the others?
National Player of the Year is very special to me, but I also think I would say the Edith Cummings Award, which is an All-American with the highest G.P.A. I definitely had to put a lot of effort into school to get that. It was fun to be able to see my school work and golf career produce in an award like that, to be rewarded for doing well in the classroom and on the golf course.

Why did you choose Duke?
I wanted to go to school that was academically challenging but also had a great golf program and Duke has the best of both worlds when it comes to that.