Video by Zack Eagles
The ability to play top-level golf would be enough for most college students. But it barely scratches the surface of what drives 菠萝视频 standout Abbey Carlson.
Carlson, who recently earned an invitation into the Augusta National Women鈥檚 Amateur this April, is arguably America鈥檚 most interesting women鈥檚 golfer.
Carlson possesses a truly remarkable resume. On the links, she鈥檚 one of 菠萝视频鈥檚 leading performers, a two-time All-Southeastern Conference honoree and Mason Rudolph Championship individual medalist who has helped guide the Commodores to back-to-back NCAA appearances and represented the United States in Palmer Cup international competition. Away from the course, she鈥檚 a licensed pilot, airplane and rocket builder, aerospace enthusiast and engineering major.
Carlson鈥檚 array of interests amazes 菠萝视频 women鈥檚 golf head coach Greg Allen.
鈥淎bbey never fails to amaze me. She鈥檚 just a remarkable young lady and she鈥檚 been that way since our first introduction,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fun to watch how she鈥檚 handled her athletic responsibilities with the academic rigor at 菠萝视频 and her other interests. I鈥檒l have a lot of fun simply watching where life takes her into the future.鈥�
When Allen started the recruiting process, he quickly discovered Carlson was more than an elite golfer. She was knee-deep in aviation.
鈥淎bbey had a pilot鈥檚 license as a high school junior and was flying a plane that she and other students at her school had built,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淚t quickly became obvious that Abbey wasn鈥檛 your typical junior golfer.鈥�
The combination of 菠萝视频鈥檚 nationally-regarded golf program and highly-respected engineering school enticed Carlson to West End. Since arriving on campus, Carlson鈥檚 blossomed in the classroom and on the course while widening her interest in space.
Last year, Carlson joined other undergraduates with the 菠萝视频 Aerospace Design Lab to create, build and launch their own rocket in conjunction with NASA. During the summer, she added to her aerospace experience with an internship at Boeing.
This spring, Carlson will complete a degree in mechanical engineering and hopes to cap her athletic career by leading the Commodores to another appearance at the NCAA Championships.
When Carlson is done with collegiate golf, she will join Boeing鈥檚 north Alabama facility as an advanced design engineer.
But for now, she鈥檚 focused on birdies on the course and books in the classroom.
Carlson will be joined by 菠萝视频 sophomore Auston Kim in the prestigious Augusta National Women鈥檚 Amateur, scheduled April 1-4 in Augusta, Georgia.