After notching a record 20 wins during her time at North Dakota State University, Amy Anderson is returning to her alma mater to impart some of that success on the Bison’s next generation of golfers.
Anderson has joined the NDSU women’s golf team as a volunteer assistant for the 2016 season. It was an easy ask for the proud alumna who has kept in touch with former coach Matt Johnson since graduating in 2013 and even had him caddie for her in May at the Kingsmill Championship.
“Coaching is something that really interests me, and my time at North Dakota State University was an incredible experience,” Anderson told LPGA.com via email. “I’ve continued to follow the program closely since I graduated and stay in touch with the team. I’m excited to give back to the program that was such a huge part of my life.”
Anderson played for the Bison between 2010 and 2013, breaking Juli Inkster’s record 17 NCAA victories. She was a three-time Summit League champion, four-time Golfer of the Year and four-time qualifier for the NCAA championship. As a teen Anderson captured the 2009 U.S. Junior Girls Amateur. Now, the 2014 LPGA Tour rookie is sharing all that experience with her former team.
“During practice I’m just a resources for the girls to use however they want,” Anderson said. “I love getting questions on course management, putting drills, bunker technique, etc. However, I believe the best coaches are sometimes the ones who say the least. Knowing the difference between when to step in and help and when to step back is what makes a great coach.”
That was something Anderson said she learned from Johnson during her years on the team and just one of many lessons she took away from her time at NDSU. The accolades followed Anderson off the course as well. She received the NCAA’s Elite 89 award, which is given to an athlete with the highest G.P.A. at each of the NCAA’s 89 final championships.
“Good golf scores and test grades are important and they don’t just happen without a lot of hard work,” said Anderson. “But at the end of the day, the times where our team laughed and cried together are much more vivid in my memory than any number I scored on the golf course or test.”
It was an important balance that Anderson has tried to continue during her life on Tour but has struggled to find the same success she discovered in college. Anderson has posted just two top-10 finishes in her first three years on Tour and without a top-10 in 2016 finished outside the top-100 on the official money list. Anderson will make the trip to the final stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament in November in hopes of improving her status for 2017.
“I felt more comfortable out there this year than I did either of my first two years. However, the actual golf part was a challenge and I struggled with my swing early in the year,” said Anderson. “After making a coaching transition mid-season, I’ve made a lot of progress and am excited about where my game is.”
Anderson says she's focused most on improving her approach shots between 90 and 140 yards to give her more birdie opportunities as she heads to q-school.
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