Caroline Ellis and Megan Yoder hug on 18 Green after a 3-hole playoff for the Championship Title
Indiana Women’s Golf Association
PERU, IN (July 1, 2024) – Caroline Ellis, Head Coach of the Women’s Golf Team at Notre Dame, secured a double victory at the Indiana Women’s Golf Association (IWGA) Indiana Golf Championship and Mid-Amateur Championship. The event took place at Rock Hollow Golf Club in Peru, Indiana. Ellis won the Mid-Amateur Championship, but in a thrilling three-hole playoff against Megan Yoder, a player on Dayton University’s Women’s Golf Team, Ellis birdied to simultaneously win the Indiana Golf Championship title.
In her first tournament back in two years, making a return as a new mother, Ellis reflected on her performance, “I was just so excited to get back in tournament competition for the summer. I put myself in good positions on a lot of these holes. There was a lot of risk or reward, and I took the conservative route today but put myself in good birdie positions and made a few of them, so that was good.”
Ellis highlighted her strategic focus for the tournament: “My goal was to make three birdies and hit as many fairways as possible. I made the three birdies and a few more bogeys than anticipated, but that’s kind of where my game is at right now.”
Her victories come as part of a significant week for women’s golf. The week-long Women’s Golf Day celebration from May 28 to June 4, this year, promotes girls and women playing golf and learning skills that last a lifetime. This June 1 event specifically celebrates women in golf, aligning perfectly with Ellis’s achievements and the IWGA’s goals.
Ellis emphasized the importance of staying relatable to her players through active competition: “My assistant and I both like to play with the girls a fair amount, and I think it helps keep your mindset similar. When you’re not the one hitting the golf shot, it all seems obvious. But when you’re over it, feeling the jitters and having to execute when it matters, that’s the stuff that’s really important to try and stay relatable.”
As Ellis looks forward to the rest of the season, she plans to compete in the Michigan Open amidst her recruiting responsibilities. “It’s good to get the competitive juices flowing and stay relatable to the players,” she said.
The IWGA Indiana Golf Championship and Mid-Amateur Championship attracted competitors from nine states and two Canadian provinces, showcasing a high level of talent and competition. Ellis’s consistent play, hitting nearly all greens and managing to avoid significant trouble, proved crucial in her success.
Ellis’s achievements this week not only highlight her skill and determination but also underscore the spirit of Women’s Golf Day, celebrating the growth, empowerment, and success of women in golf.
For more information about the Indiana Women’s Golf Association and upcoming events, visit IWGA’s website.
About the Indiana Women’s Golf Association (IWGA):
The IWGA is dedicated to promoting and supporting women’s golf in Indiana. Through various championships, events, and educational opportunities, the IWGA aims to inspire women and girls to engage with golf, develop their skills, and enjoy the lifelong benefits of the sport. For more information, visit IWGA’s website.