The Dreadful Word…Injury

On Tuesday, I was signed up for the US Open Qualifier held at Shannopin CC in Pittsburg, yet I did not play in it. Instead I spent Tuesday morning seeing an orthopedic specialist for my left knee. The day after getting back from the MAC Championship, my left knee buckled on me when moving stuff in my car. The same thing happened a few days later. After seeing the doctor, and speaking with my athletic trainer, I learned I have patellar subluxation which is basically an unstable patella. There is not much I can do for this but either wearing a brace or taping it and doing physical therapy. Fortunately, I am still able to play golf as I have never experienced pain while I have played.

This was my first year attempting to qualify for the US Open, and I was particularly excited about this US Open. Lancaster CC is the host, which is one of the most flawless golf courses I have ever played. I had the luxury to play it two summers ago when PA Golf Association held their PA Women’s Amateur there.

Photo Credit: Brian Brakebill

This was my first time ever withdrawing from a tournament due to injury. It was a tough pill to swallow. The winning score at the qualifier was -2 for 36 holes. I texted my college coach, Erin Fahey, or Coach to me, when I saw the scores because I knew with that being the winning score, I may have had a good chance at qualifying. I also knew that the course could have been tricky if that was the lowest score of the day. Either way, I still was disappointed I didn’t have the opportunity.

She reminded me that I needed to prioritize my physical health that day and I would have other qualifiers over the summer for different tournaments. This qualifier was just one of them. I remembered that, yes this injury was disappointing, at least it didn’t completely take golf away from me for a period of time. I am lucky I am still able to play without pain, but walking 36 holes before getting it checked out was not a smart move. In the end, I know it was the right decision.