EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Allison Enchelmayer completed her collegiate career at the University of Evansville in the spring of 2024. Following a career that saw her help the Purple Aces achieve their first Missouri Valley Conference Championship and NCAA Regional appearances, Enchelmayer knew there was more to accomplish.
It did not take long for that to become a reality. In July, she was invited to the 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Southern Hills Country Club is the host course with the event running from August 5-11. Two rounds of stroke play open the week with the 156-player field cut down to 64. Match play begins at that time until the champion is crowned.
“Just when I thought I was done with competitive golf after finishing conference in April of 2024, I immediately signed up for the Evansville Women’s City Tournament and US Women’s Amateur Qualifier in Franklin,” Enchelmayer said. “I knew I would miss competing as soon as I was a “retired college athlete”, and I could not have been more right.”
Enchelmayer had a strong effort at the Evansville Women’s City Tournament, posting rounds of 69 and 76 on her way to a runner-up finish. This helped her to find a dream that she did not know she had – making it to the U.S. Women’s Amateur. She became a middle school teacher in Evansville in January of 2024 and was preparing for ways to enjoy going without being a college athlete. This mindset was the perfect way to approach things. Aside from the opportunity to compete in the upcoming U.S. Women’s Amateur, she was recently named the girls golf coach at Harrison High School in Evansville.
“As a retired college athlete, I have been enjoying playing golf for myself and much more causally, which has given me a fire I didn’t know I had,” she exclaimed. “I now get to compete with so much less pressure and am able to give myself grace. Now, as a “real adult” who doesn’t compete as often, I have the honor of competing in one of the toughest amateur tournaments out there.”
“I could not be more thrilled to be a “normal person” in a field of such incredible athletes and show them I have what it takes to compete even after I finished my college career.”
Following the strong effort at the Evansville Women’s City Tournament, she competed at the qualifying site for the amateur in Franklin, Tenn. on July 18. Shooting a 1-under 69, she earned a 4th-place finish in a field of 54 participants. While the top three automatically qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur, her finish presented the opportunity to be an alternate.
Her performance at the qualifier was special for many reasons. While the clutch performance resulted in achieving her goal, the person next to her for the day made things even more special. Her father – Carl – caddied for her in an experience that she will cherish forever.
“I spent the qualifier enjoying a perfect golf day with my dad. It drizzled a little bit, the temperature was amazing, and I played awesome golf,” Enchelmayer recalled. “Having that looseness and my dad with me to just relax, it was really easy to just hit the next shot.”
After the round was complete, they awaited the final results as she missed the auto-qualifier spot by one but was guaranteed to be the first alternate. It was now time to wait and see what would happen. Enchelmayer was a counselor at a summer camp the next week. With cell and internet service being limited, she did her best to keep a close eye on everything. Finally, on Thursday the 25th, the news came.
“I didn’t think there was any way I was going to get the call to go, but then Thursday the 25th rolled around. I was around a group of 30 amazing kiddos and a few counselors when all of a sudden, I see the email and start crying with joy,” Enchelmayer exclaimed. “I got a spot to go to Oklahoma. These kids embraced me with the biggest hug I’ve ever had in my life, and it couldn’t have been a more special moment.”
Competition at the 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur opens on Monday, August 5. Enchelmayer and her father leave for Oklahoma on August 2.
