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Nicole
Hage waited for this moment for a very long time. Walking
down the 18th fairway at Abacoa Golf Club at the hp Junior
Championship at Abacoa, she could not help herself from smiling
and getting goose bumps. With a five-shot lead, she knew that
she finally did it. She was about to claim her first national
victory in an “Open event.” She even sealed the
deal with a birdie.
To say Hage has been on a roll the past few weeks would be
an understatement. Not even a pinch could bring this soon-to-be
17-year-old out of this dream world.
Hage now has a first-, second-
and thrid-place finish in the month of July. She
is up to seven top-10s in 2002. |
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Over the
last three years, the Coral Springs, Fla., native posted six
runner-up finishes. Her only previous national win came in
1999 at the AJGA Junior All-Star Classic at Magnolia Grove,
a tournament for 13-15-year-olds.
“This is what I have wanted for a long time,” Hage
said about her lead on No. 18. “I was so excited.”
Hage entered the final round in a familiar place — second.
But she was not worried.
“I knew from experience how to handle the final round,”
she said. “Everyone else had the pressure on them.”
After the first hole, she was tied with second-round leader
Charmaine Erasmus of Bradenton, Fla., and did not take the
outright lead until she made par on No. 7. After birdies on
the ninth and 10th holes, Hage had a three-stroke lead and
never looked back. She finished with rounds of 71-72-71 for
a 3-under-par total of 213 and a six-stroke victory.
“Everything is coming together for me,” the 16-year-old
said. “It’s easier for me to read greens and I am
being more creative on shots, more open minded.
“This win helps my confidence so much. I went into this
tournament with no expectations and just tried to get my confidence
back.”
If winning at Abacoa gave Hage goose bumps, it’s hard
to wonder what qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open did
to her skin. That’s right, the Open.
Although she missed the cut, she got a chance to hang out
with her role model, Kelly Robbins. Hage played a practice
round with Robbins and Karrie Webb and then followed Robbins
during the final round.
Nicole's victory at the hp Junior
Championship at Abacoa ended her streak of six
runner-up finishes. |
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“After
her round, she came up to me and told me that she was happy
I watched her,” Hage said. “She is so nice and I
love her personality.”
As if playing in an Open and winning for the first time wasn’t
enough, due to her consistent play in 2002, Hage was able
to make the East squad for the Canon Cup, a goal of her’s
for two years.
“I am really excited about Canon Cup,” she said.
“I really want that red bag (East Team golf bag). I was
worried that I would not make it.”
And to top off Hage’s string of good luck, she returned
home from Abacoa to find a Dodge Durango with a big red bow
waiting for her. It was an early birthday present for her
because she will be celebrating her 17th birthday while at
Canon Cup.
After competing in the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur, Hage will
have a four-day “vacation” at home before leaving
for Canon Cup.
“I am going to get my driver’s license,” she
exclaimed when asked what she would be doing during her break.
“I have this new car and I have not been able to drive
it!”
In less than a month, Hage has lived enough dreams to last
her a lifetime. In fact, she hopes that there may still be
a few more left in 2002. So with the type of roll Hage is
on, the East Canon Cup team should be able to jump in her
new car and enjoy the ride.
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