Around The Commonwealth
VG: Take us through what it was like to
play in both the NCAA championship and
the U.S. Women’s Open and showcase your
game against the world’s best players?
AH: It was an incredible honor to be able to
represent my team and Virginia Tech at the
national championship for my last collegiate
event ever. But a lot of the credit goes to my
teammates and coaches for getting us to the
regional championship. I would have never
been given the opportunity to advance to
the national championship if my teammates
hadn’t played so great and had my back all
year prior to the national championship.
Both the national championship and the
U.S. Open, I felt like I was living in a dream.
Growing up I wished and prayed that I would
have the ability to compete at this level and
actually being there was absolutely amaz-
ing. I felt like a little kid at Christmas time
getting so many toys and feeling so over-
whelmed with so many different emotions.
Both events were such great experiences
that have helped me to learn and grow for
my future golf adventures to come.
VG: Your older sister Jessica was on the
bag for you down in Charleston and was
there to greet you in Springfield when
you earned medalist honors at U.S. Open
qualifying. What has she meant to you
during your career, both from a golf and
personal standpoint?
AH: Both of my sisters, Lauren and Jess,
are such incredible role models for me and
have been two people that I have had the
opportunity to look up to and learn from
for so many years. Having Jess on the bag
and seeing Lauren in the crowd during the
U.S. Open was such an unforgettable feeling
and a memory that I will have for a lifetime.
Knowing and feeling how much that both of
them—as well as the rest of my family and
friends—love and support me means the
world to me. My sisters mean so much to
me and being able to share such an amazing
milestone in my life with them and the rest
of my family was such a great experience.
VG: You were Virginia Tech’s first women’s
golf recruit when the program started five
years ago. What drew you to Tech and what
was it like to be part of building a program
from the ground up like that?
AH: Coach (Carol) Robertson is the sole
reason that I was lucky enough to have the
opportunity to play golf for Virginia Tech.
Coach recruited me to Old Dominion
when she coached there and luckily was
able to bring me to VT when she got the
job and became a Hokie. I remember the
day perfectly. It was right before I won the
“I’ve learned to care about the big picture and to
focus on my goals and dreams, while still
remaining in the moment.”
—Amanda Hollandsworth
I have lived in Jessie’s shadow my entire
life and it wasn’t until I got to college that I
realized how great of an honor that really
was. I remember growing up I would go
places and people would say “Oh , you’re
Jessie’s little sister.” I would always polite-
ly say, “yes, I’m Amanda.” But I never knew
how great these words actually were. Jess
was an amazing golfer and coach and such
an inspiration to so many people. Having
her as a sister and hero definitely has a lot
to do with where I am today. She was there
to compete with, to learn from, but even
more importantly she was a loving sister
who always had my back.
VSGA Junior Girls’ in 2013, the summer
before my senior year of high school she
called me and I committed right then on
the phone, before even talking with my
parents. Coach sold me on her competi-
tiveness, determination, but even more
so her compassion for me as a person. She
came out and watched me play golf at the
Junior Girls’, a week after having a baby.
Most of my success at Virginia Tech is
owed to her. She pushed me when I needed
it, she never let me quit, she never gave up
on me even when I made it tough, but most
importantly, she always cared.
VG: What was your proudest moment in
Virginia amateur golf?
AH: Coming from behind and winning the
2017 Women’s Stroke Play at Blacksburg
Country Club was a huge highlight in my
amateur golf experience. It was so much
fun to finally win that event, but it made
it even more special that it was within the
Blacksburg community and I got to cele-
brate with my friends and family at home.
Hollandsworth rallied to win
the 2017 VSGA Women's
Stroke Play Championship at
Blacksburg Country Club.
vsga.org
VG: You turned professional just before
the start of the U.S. Women’s Open. What
are your plans for the rest of the summer
as you prepare for Q School?
AH: I am playing in a couple mini-tour
events on the NWGA Egglands Best tour
and some State Open tournaments in
order to prepare for Q-school in late
August. I’m very sad I won’t be playing
in VSGA events anymore, but excited
for this new chapter of my life.
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