Former University of Oregon standout fighting through shoulder injury to chase LPGA dreams
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — To end the 2017 Epson Tour season, Caroline Inglis competed in six straight events concluding with the Tour Championship in early October, as she played in a total of 18 Epson and two LPGA tournaments throughout the year.
After the grueling stretch and long season, a short hiatus was in order to refocus and gear up for Stage III of LPGA Qualifying School.
"My boyfriend and I visited Eugene and went to a Ducks football game,” Inglis said. “Saw all of my old roommates and teammates from college, which was so much fun.”
But the break was also necessary to rest a lingering injury. In August of 2016, Inglis hurt her right shoulder during a workout. It was not until May of this year that she received the diagnosis —a torn labrum. Inglis said it is the biggest hurdle she has faced this season.
“It has been a struggle to maintain a lot of practice, but still resting my shoulder enough while I am traveling and playing in events,” said Inglis. “Luckily, trainers and doctors have been very helpful.”
Since the diagnosis, therapy sessions to strengthen her shoulder have been incorporated into Inglis’ weekly routine. That still continues, but now closer to Stage III, preparation has consisted heavily of range time and work on the short game, as well as some on-course practice.
Last year, Inglis finished in the 21-45 range at the Final Stage to earn conditional LPGA status. The hope is to improve on that finish and make the full-time jump to the Tour.
“I’ve been grinding on some little tweaks in my swing, and making sure my short game stays sharp,” Inglis said. “I am just making sure to cover all of my bases to make sure that I feel comfortable and confident for Q3.”
While practice and therapy has been the major pieces of the preparation puzzle, there is one necessary boost Inglis swears by.
“A typical day right now for me starts with heading to the golf course, practicing and playing,” said Inglis. “After I’ve had my coffee, of course.”
Ask what her favorite kind is and she’ll tell you Stumptown Coffee out of Portland. Throw in a little cream and Inglis is all set to conquer any challenge in front of her, from rehabbing an injury to Stage III.
Inglis is battle-tested and that includes the adversity she faced in working to get back to 100 percent from her shoulder injury. She has been through the Q-School ringer before so the process is nothing new, although, it doesn’t mean it is any easier.
“I think there will always be nerves leading up to a big tournament, but it’s normal to be nervous because it means I care,” Inglis said. “My level of practice and preparation is probably higher than a normal tournament because it’s such a big deal—it determines my status for next year.”
At the end of the day, nothing stopped Inglis from turning in a solid 2017 campaign. At the end of the Epson Tour season, she ranked No. 19 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list, earning $36,135 thanks in large part to three top 10 finishes (The Donald Ross Centennial Classic, Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge, Garden City Charity Classic).
With a year of professional experience under her belt, Inglis is ready to make the next step (not to mention she became the first golfer in Oregon program history to be named the Pac-12 individual champion in 2014-2015). Combine her determination with a tireless work ethic (don’t forget the coffee), and Inglis is ready to leave her mark on the Final Stage.
“I want to make sure I practiced enough and have no regrets looking back” said Inglis.
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