FLOYDS KNOBS — Last Saturday at Eagle Valley Golf Course, Floyd Central girls’ golfer Eliza Hudson accomplished a goal she has been striving for since her freshman year.

Hudson fired a 77 at the Evansville Memorial Regional, advancing her to this weekend’s IHSAA State Finals at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin. It will be her first trip to the state finals. The junior finished third overall and was among the top five individuals on non-advancing teams to qualify for state.

Hudson had her dramatic moments at regional.

Hudson, who began her regional round on the back nine, made a double bogey on the seventh hole to dampen her state hopes. But after she had a bogey on the No. 8 hole, Hudson rebounded by connecting on a long 35-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole to finish her round on a huge positive note.

Earlier this week, the News and Tribune got in touch with Hudson to talk about the regional and the upcoming state finals.

• QUESTION: You are only a few days away from competing in your first state finals. What are your emotions heading into this weekend?

• HUDSON: “I’m so excited. I’m really, really happy about it. I haven’t come down from the high of making it yet, and I can’t wait to get out there.”

• Q: What is your goal at state this coming weekend? What would you consider a good performance for you?

• HUDSON: “My goal is to finish in the top 20, which would be awesome. But my goal is to play my best. I just want to have a good round for myself.”

• Q: Have you ever played Legends?

• HUDSON: “I have played it before. It was a couple of years ago during a golf camp.”

• Q: How tough of a golf course is it?

• HUDSON: “I think it’s a good course. While it is tough, it’s in good shape. It’s not very tough, but it does challenge you.”

• Q: I understand you are practicing at Old Capital Golf Club in Corydon this week to prepare for state. How do you think that will help get you ready to play Legends this weekend?

• HUDSON: “Old Capital is a great course. There are lots of hazards and bunkers. It’s a little more difficult course than I usually play. I think it will help me get ready for this weekend.”

• Q: Describe the 35-foot birdie putt you made on the final hole at regional last weekend. What were your emotions when it went in?

• HUDSON: “I knew it was going to be a very important putt because I needed it for a 77. When it went in, I was so relieved. I felt all the tension go out of my body. I knew I did all I could do.”

• Q: What do you think you will remember the most about the regional?

• HUDSON: “The part I’ll remember the most is just waiting for the scores to come in after [her round]. As the final scores came in, my coach Lenny Hartlage came up to me and said, ‘Kid, I think you’re in.’”

• Q: I understand you didn’t really start working on your game until you got into high school. Why did you decide that was the time to increase your work ethic toward your game?

• HUDSON: “I decided to join the golf team because I had a couple of friends on the team. But we had a senior at the time in Janice Heffernan and she really inspired me. She helped me become more focused on the sport.”

• Q: What area of your game do you work on the most and why?

• HUDSON: “I definitely work on my short game the most. That’s where you win. Your chips and putts help you get up and down for par.”

• Q: The Floyd Central boys’ golf team has had a lot of success over the years. Has its success motivated you and your teammates to build your own winning tradition?

• HUDSON: “The boys are well-known for their success at the state finals and they have finished in the top five in the state. That’s been a big influence for us and we think we have a good chance to do that next year.”

• Q: Your entire team comes back next season. What do you think of your team’s chances of making the state finals?

• HUDSON: “I think our chances are great next year. Our team has worked their butts off.”

• Q: Do you want to play in college? If so, have any schools contacted you?

• HUDSON: “I would love to play in college. I have been contacted by a couple of schools, but not many. The two schools are Hanover and IUPUI.”

 

ELIZA HUDSON PROFILE

• HIGH SCHOOL: Floyd Central.

• GRADE: Junior.

• PARENTS: Susan Wurst, mother; Kevin Wurst, stepfather; Tom Hudson, father; Eron Hudson, stepmother.

• FLOYD CENTRAL COACH LENNY HARTLAGE ON HUDSON: “She’s made leaps and bounds in improvement the last few years. As a person, she’s like a daughter to me. She is my daughter’s best friend. I couldn’t ask for a better best friend for my daughter.”