LSU women’s golf sophomore Austin Ernst added another major accomplishment to her already lengthy résumé during winter break, as she was selected to compete in this summer’s Curtis Cup Match in Nairn, Scotland.
The biennial amateur match features three eight-player international squads from Ireland, Great Britain and the United States.
The teams will play in six alternate-shot matches, six four-ball matches and eight singles matches during the tournament’s three-day span from June 8 to 10.
Ernst became only the second player from LSU to be selected to compete in the Curtis Cup, along with the now-professional former Lady Tiger Meredith Duncan, who played in 2002.
Five of the eight golfers for the U.S. squad have been named so far, and all five finished the 2011 NCAA Division I Championship in the top 20. Ernst garnered a first place individual finish, earning her the distinction of being the first freshman national champion in 13 years.
Although she sits atop the rankings after last year’s victory, Ernst said she has great respect for the other four members of the U.S. team.
“I know all four girls who have been selected so far,” Ernst said. “Everyone on the team is a great player and definitely deserving of the honor.”
Joining Ernst on the team is another Southeastern Conference competitor from the University of Alabama senior Brooke Pancake. Pancake also had a good showing in the 2011 U.S. Women’s Amateur, making it to the tournament’s semifinals.
LSU women’s golf coach Karen Bahnsen said Ernst’s attitude and calm demeanor have been key to her dominance on the course and should translate into a solid performance in Nairn.
“She handles herself very well,” Bahnsen said. “When she’s playing, you can’t tell how well or badly she’s doing because she doesn’t let her body language show it.”
While Ernst said her attitude does aid in her performances, she said the competition she’s faced as a Lady Tiger has prepared her for higher levels of competition.
“I had a really good year with winning the championship and getting in the semifinals of the Amateur,” Ernst said. “My experiences have helped me to learn to remain calm in pressured situations.”
Ernst said making the Curtis Cup squad has been a major goal for her, but she said it won’t affect the way she views her spring campaign at LSU in the coming months.
The Lady Tigers tee off in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, for the Lady Puerto Rico Classic on Feb. 12, to continue the 2011-2012 season. The team placed 15th at its last tournament, the Mercedes-Benz SEC/PAC-12 Challenge in October.
Ernst said she and the rest of the U.S. team will travel to Palm Springs, Calif., for a practice session Jan. 26-29. The results will determine who will compete in the alternate shot matches in the tournament.
The U.S. team has emerged victorious in the past seven Curtis Cup Matches.
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