Aug. 27, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. - With a come-from-behind victory at the Turkey Hill Classic in Harrisburg, Pa., this past weekend, former Illinois State women's golf standout Samantha Richdale earned full-time status on the 2010 LPGA Tour.
The Kelowna, B.C., native attended ISU from 2002-2006 where she ended her career by becoming to first ever three-time Missouri Valley Conference Medalist. She won eight tournaments over her illustrious career, including two conference championships.
Richdale carded three birdies on the final four holes to post a 4-under-par 68 to finish the 54-hole tournament at 10-under-par 206. She captured a sudden-death playoff win on the first extra hole against Amanda Mathis of Opelousas, La. The victory marked her second of the season and third during a four-season career on the Futures Tour.
Her former coach Ray Kralis was not surprised by what the former Redbird has accomplished.
"Samantha was special from the moment she got on campus, you could tell that she had some things that not every player has," Kralis said. "Early on in her freshman year she talked about her goal of being the number one player in the world. This is not by accident, she's a hard worker and she has so many of the intangibles and all the tools. It was special to be around her when she was here that's for sure."
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