After winning the Mercedes-Benz Classic, senior Lauren Doughtie continues to set the standard as the best women’s golfer in program history as she progresses toward the professional level. In her senior year, Doughtie practically owns the Wolfpack’s record books.
She was the first golfer in program history to qualify for the NCAA Championship during her junior season. After finishing the season ranked No. 54 and No. 60 nationally by Golfstat and Golfweek respectively, she was also named All-Conference for the first time in her career. Last season, she set school records for scoring average (74.4) and also set the record for single season and career stroke averages.
Despite her long list of accomplishments, Doughtie had never won a collegiate tournament entering her senior season. But Doughtie realized this goal, winning the Mercedes-Benz Classic–a feat which was honored by Golf World magazine when it named her its player of the week.
“It is great to finally win–I have been really close to winning before,” Doughtie said. “I made new goals and set the bar higher for myself for the rest of the season. It’s funny — I didn’t even know I had won until Emily, my teammate, rushed up to me afterward and told me. It was a surreal feeling.”
After coaching Doughtie for three years prior to this season, the tournament-win was a thrill for both Doughtie and coach Page Marsh.
“I was proud to see her win a tournament,” Marsh said. “It has been one of her main goals, and her hard work has really payed off. She played superb, great golf. Her honor is well-deserved. She has shown such heart and has come close to winning before. It’s fun to see her reach her goals. I know she is not satisfied with one win.”
Doughtie’s success-filled college career has paved a way for her to play professionally. She intends on attending the Duramed FUTURES Tour in November.
“I cannot play in the LPGA because I would lose amateur status,” Doughtie said. “However, I am very fortunate to have the opportunity of playing professionally directly out of college. I have been playing since I was little and fell in love with the game, not knowing I would be where I am today.”
The senior has only a few months left as a collegiate golfer, but Marsh expects to see more success in Doughtie’s last season that will continue into her profesional future.
“Her dedication to golf and her motivation to improve are admirable,” Marsh said. “With Lauren’s mental approach, practice habits and strong work ethic, she will be hard to beat. Her competitiveness and leadership are an inspiration to the other players on the team. She has set the bar and the pace for the other ladies to strive to achieve the highest of honors.”
Aside from Doughtie’s leadership on the course, Marsh feels it will not be the same next year without her.
“She is our ‘packing girl’–no one can pack the van like her,” Marsh said. “She is also our ‘technology go-to girl’ with iPods and other things. It’s fun to see all the personalities on the team and hers will definately be missed.”
