Columnist Victoria Sun: Durango star Andrews earns golf scholarship to Oregon

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2001 | 9:35 a.m.

Victoria Sun is a Las Vegas Sun sportswriter. Reach her at 259-4078 or by e-mail at victoria@lasvegassun.com.

For Erin Andrews, the summer before she entered her senior year at Durango High School was supposed to be full of junior golf victories and pleasant outings on the golf course.

Though Andrews finished in the top 10 of four AJGA events, good by most standards, the self-motivated golfer felt it wasn't good enough.

"I felt it wasn't the best summer," Andrews said. "I didn't have any spectacular finishes. There were a couple tournaments that I should have been able to take.

"In the top 10 finishes, there weren't that many girls in the field. That's why it was a little disappointing."

Another junior golfer who had four top 10 finishes probably would have omitted the fact that some of the fields consisted of only 18 golfers.

Andrews didn't.

Her humble attitude and determination to be a better player have helped her land a scholarship to the University of Oregon to play golf next year.

"Oregon was in my top five list," Andrews said. "I took an unofficial visit to both the Oregon schools when there was an AJGA event in Oregon.

"I really just loved the campus there. I clicked with the coach and I felt most comfortable."

The summer wasn't a total loss.

Andrews won the girls age 15-17 division in the Tournament of Champions put on by the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association last week by defeating Mackenzie Mack in match play.

The tournament was for all players who had won a SNJGA event.

Andrews qualified by winning Paiute's two-day team event.

"It was a confidence booster," Andrews said. "I was really hitting the ball well and putting well. It just showed me again, it's really not that hard."

Andrews and Durango High teammate Whitney Welch will anchor the school's team and try to help the Trailblazers defend their state championship.

Both participated in the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur where Welch was a finalist and Andrews failed to make the cut. Welch is the defending state individual champion.

"I think we still have the ability to take zone and state again," Andrews said. "Whitney had a really great summer. We'll have a very strong team."

Other winners in the Tournament of Champions were Mitch Carlson (boys 15-17), Adam Tebbs (boys 13-14), Kyrce Higa (girls 11-14), Alex Scott (boys 11-12), Max Marsico (Boys 9-10), Susan Park (girls 9-10), Braden Bennett (boys 6-8), Conner Garner (boys 6-10, year-round flight), Taylor Bland (girls 9-10, year-round flight), Eurik O'Bryant (boys 15-17, flight 2), Richard Bailey (boys 13-14, flight 2) and Cody Vigil (boys 11-12, flight 2).

Baron is still waiting to hear from a few members of the Ryder Cup teams and other big names such as Phil Mickelson, but he is hopeful the tournament will attract a strong field.

Past champions include Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk, who were engaged in the longest playoff of the season at the World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational two weeks ago, and John Cook, who won last week's Reno-Tahoe Open.

"When you look week to week, the guys that have won here play pretty well," Baron said. "They're in contention. If you win here, you're going to do well."

Former champions Davis Love III and Andrew Magee, along with John Daly, Craig Stadler, Jim Carter, Olin Browne, Bob Estes and David Frost have recently committed to play.

And if you're wondering if Woods, who earned his first PGA Tour victory here in 1996, will be back, keep hoping.

"Tiger won't commit until the Friday before," Baron said. "That's the way he operates."

However, Baron did say that the tournament may have to limit ticket sales at the Canyons because it isn't as suited for a large gallery.