via www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net

There were just two holes to play for Amanda Blumenherst in the final round of the NCAA Women's Division I Championship tournament yesterday. After three consecutive titles, Duke was out of the race for the team trophy. And Blumenherst was out of the race for the individual title.

She was also outside the Top 10 - somewhere she had never before finished in college. (Repeat: In 31 previous college events, Blumenherst had never finished outside the Top 10.) She also trailed Arkansas' Stacy Lewis by one, and - perhaps - had slipped behind Lewis in the Player of the Year race. Lewis and Blumenherst entered the NCAA Championship essentially tied; which one finished ahead of the other might very well sway voters and determine who would win the Player of the Year award.

Two holes to go, outside the Top 10, trailing Lewis. But on her 17th hole - No. 8 on the course - Blumenherst showed her flair for the dramatic, and her knack for getting the job done. She holed out from the fairway - eagle - leapfrogging Lewis and jumping up to fifth. And that's where she finished.

And the photo above shows Blumenherst receiving the NGCA Player of the Year Award, her third straight.

Blumenherst is in Year 3 of what will go down as one of the greatest college golf careers ever, ranking up there with Lorena Ochoa's (nobody has ever been as dominant as Ochoa at the collegiate level, but Ochoa left school early) and Juli Inkster's. Did we mention she's never finished outside the Top 10? This year, in 11 tournaments, Blumenherst never finished lower than fifth. She tied her own school record for scoring average. She won four times. She is the first-ever three-time Player of the Year; the first-ever three-time GolfStat Cup winner. Now you know why Tiffany Joh has referred to her as "the Blumenbeast."

But as good as she is on the course, Blumenherst may be even better off the course. She won another award yesterday, the Dinah Shore Trophy Award, administered by the LPGA Foundation and given to "a female collegiate golfer who excels in both academics (3.2 on a 4.0 scale) and athletics—playing in at least 50 percent of the team’s scheduled events—while maintaining a 78.00 or less scoring average. The nominees must also demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and/or community service."

Wow, Blu blows right by those requirements:

A junior majoring in history with an English minor, Blumenherst’s athletic performance is rivaled by her academic accomplishments. She has maintained a 3.775 overall grade point average (GPA), while competing on the Blue Devil women’s golf team in all 32 events for which she has been eligible.

... Busy enough with a double major, collegiate practices, and traveling to tournaments, Blumenherst has also gained many fans in the Durham, N.C., community. She was the only freshman athlete to be a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and has served on the executive board for the past two years. She has taken a lead role with Project Share—a Duke athletics student-run program in which athletes ‘adopt’ families at Christmas time and provide them with presents for the holidays. In addition to being an active participant, Blumenherst insures money is collected by SAAC members, organizes the shopping sprees and wrapping parties, and oversees delivery of the gifts. She has also spent time helping local elementary students with their reading, working in a local kitchen to help feed the needy, and working with others in the Durham community to prepare dried-food meals to send to the hungry in foreign countries.

Her opponents and fellow-competitors on the course probably wish she'd show as much compassion to them.

When Annika Sorenstam announced her retirement two weeks ago, she spoke of her belief that the LPGA is in great shape for the future. She specifically mentioned Lorena Ochoa. But she could have been thinking of pro golfers not even on the LPGA Tour yet, like, perhaps, Ji Yai Shin. And she could have been thinking of amateurs like Blumenherst, Lewis and Joh.

Great golfers, and good people. The LPGA, and its fans, have a lot to look forward to.