Women's Golf | 05.24.2021

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – For Lewis-Clark State College senior Lauren Hamm, a little rain and possibly some lightening could add to her fun on the golf course this week.
 
Hamm is one of 156 players who will tee it up today when the 26th annual NAIA Women's Golf National Championship opens at Rose Creek Golf Course. Hamm, who will start on the No. 10 tee at 7:30 a.m., PST, is LC State's lone representative at nationals as she qualified by winning the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament individual title last month in Caldwell.
 
The 72-hole, four-day tournament features 30 teams and six individual qualifiers. Twenty teams automatically qualified by winning or finishing second in their respective conference, independent, or unaffiliated group tournament. 10 teams received at-large berths and Oklahoma City received an automatic berth as the tournament host. The six individuals who qualified either won their conference tournament or is an all-tournament team honoree from the 2019 national tournament.
 
While there's plenty of pressure that goes with a national tournament, there are other factors that could make this a rather interesting event. For one, rain and thundershowers are in the forecast each day. If there's lightening, play will automatically be suspended, which could cause delays.
 
The course also should play a role in the outcome. Because of COVID-19, the tournament was moved earlier this year to Oklahoma and Rose Creek. However, Rose Creek suffered some winter kill on the fairways when the area was hit by ice storms during the winter, which killed patches of grass in the fairways.
 
"I think you have to stay patient and not get frustrated with the course," said LC golf coach Kyla Lien, who played a practice round with Hamm on Sunday and then walked the course while Hamm played another practice round on Monday. "You have to hit the fairways and make sure to give yourself a good shot to the green. Some of the greens are smaller and some are longer, so you have to hit the correct quadrants."
 
Hamm, a senior from Ferndale, Wash., has enjoyed an excellent season. She won three individual titles in the five tournaments LC State played in and also won the conference's Player of the Year award.
 
"Lauren has been very determined this year," Lien said.  "Pre-COVID, she had started to really blossom and I think she came into this year determined. She knew what she could do and that's exactly what she did. By far, Lauren is one of the best players on the women's side we've had since I've been here and certainly the most improved of anyone I know. Her first year here she averaged low to mid 80s. This year, you saw what she did (averaged 76.3 strokes per round in conference play). She has really improved and worked on the things she needed to work on."
 
Lien said if Hamm plays like she is capable, she could be in the top 10. Lien said Hamm will just need to keep her mindset of focusing on her game. She also wants her to enjoy the tournament and have fun.
 
"I think she will be fine," Lien said. "She just needs to stay patient and play her golf."
 
After two rounds, the field will be cut to the top 17 teams and 40 individuals, including ties.
 
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