While all eyes were on Florida senior T.J. Vogel at The Masters this weekend, another Gators golfer was making headlines on the professional circuit.
Sophomore Camilla Hedberg participated in the LPGA’s Kraft Nabsico Championship in Rancho Mirage, Calif., and played well enough on Thursday to take an early lead in the first round.
“I don’t think I have any words to describe how big (playing in the LPGA) was,” Hedberg said. “It was very cool and a great experience. I played really well Thursday and Friday. It was a great experience, and I got to play with some great players.”
Hedberg, who finished in 72nd place, was joined by senior Isabelle Lendl as two of the amateurs playing in the tournament.
Lendl did not make the cut after finishing 29 over par after the first two rounds.
Both used the tournament as a final tune-up before Florida opens the Southeastern Championship on Friday, seeking to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish.
“We have high expectations,” coach Emily Bastel said. “Our conference in women’s golf is deep. We’ve gone back-and-forth with a lot of the top SEC schools this year.”
The Gators seem to be hitting their peak at the right time as almost every golfer has seen improved play in the past few weeks.
Most notable is freshman Ursa Orehek. Orehek showed potential after tying for 17th — her best finish this season — at the Bryan National Collegiate on March 29-31.
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“Our team is ready to play some good golf,” Orehek said. “We will see what happens. Me and my coaches were working a lot on my short game and I’m still working on that because I feel if my short game is good then I can do a lot.”
And as Gators continue to earn opportunities to play in professional tournaments, the rest of Florida’s golfers are paying close attention.
“It’s awesome (seeing Florida golfers succeeding),” Orehek said. “It was so good. It gives you so much motivation to practice harder, to play great golf and it’s just awesome to see your teammates, people you hang out and practice with, on television playing with the biggest players.”
Junior Camilla Hedberg watches her shot during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 15 at Mark Bostick Golf Course.
