Tiffany Murphy
Staff Writer
After years of hard work, diligence and dedication, Pepperdine graduates are often unsure where life will take them after they receive their diploma. Katherine Hull of class of 2003 is one graduate that has made her dreams become reality while life has taken her on an adventure. Hull, currently playing on the LPGA tour has successfully completed many of her goals and along the way has made an impact on her coaches, teachers, friends and fellow athletes.
According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), in the past 20 years, the amount of NCAA women golfers in all divisions combined has almost quadrupled. Proudly, Hull was part of this number while setting school records and helping her team capture the West Coast Conference Championship and Pepperdine’s second consecutive Commissioner’s Cup for the 2002-2003 sports seasons.
According to a Dec. 16, 2003 press release, she along with Nadina Taylor, “Helped the Waves to their best season ever in 2002-2003 as they led the team to its first-ever No. 1 ranking and a second-place finish at last year’s (2001) NCAA Championships in Indiana.”
Named Co-Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Hull was the first Pepperdine female athlete to be recognized with this award. Many wonder how Hull managed to reach her goals, while being an outstanding student, athlete and Christian. “She had a lot of great support and great relationships with her coaches,” said Pepperdine Women’s Golf Coach Laurie Gibbs. “She was coachable, she respected everyone and I respected her as a student athlete, she listened, applied herself, knew what she wanted and went out and did it.”
In college, Hull demonstrated her strong work ethic off the greens by graduating in three and a half years. A contract major and native Australian, Hull began college when she was 17 and only a few months after graduating high school. Coach Gibbs said that Hull started at Pepperdine as a solid player and continued to mature and grow, not only in her golf game, but in her personal life. With faith in herself and God, Hull was able to attain many of the goals she set for herself while at Pepperdine University.
In Gibbs’ words, not only was Hull “a smart competitor and an excellent putter,” but she took her collegiate successes beyond the California Coast. Among many awards she received in college, Hull was named 2003 NCAA College Player of the Year and 3-time All-American. Her first two professional events were won on the Futures Tour and in 2004, Hull garnished five top-20 finishes according to the “Pepperdine Voice.”
In the BMO Financial Group Canadian Women’s Open, Hull was interviewed after placing second with 3-under par. “You’ve just got to give yourself opportunities. I did today.” said Hull about her bittersweet finish, “Put this up as a good experience and hopefully you can go on better next time.”
Hull went on the LPGA Tour with a huge confidence boost as she won first place and $30,000 in her own back yard at the Titanium Enterprises ALPG Championship with a final round of 70, 2-under par.
According to www.golftoday.com, after the 2005 LPGA season wrapped up, Hull was ranked Number 55th playing in a whopping 24 tournaments. Hull maintains a busy tour schedule and continues to build her record.
After turning pro in 2003, her record of successes has helped her win $389,717 in prize money (http://sports.yahoo.com). Hull is sure to continue her high level of achievement both on and off the golf course and remains a role model for both students and athletes that strive for the perfect balance of school, sports, faith and fun while in college.
06-06-2006
