LPGA Foundation awards Katie Kirk Dinah Shore Trophy

Katie Kirk, the recently graduated golfer for East Carolina, received the 2015 Dinah Shore Trophy last week.

The award is given for excellence in the classroom, on the golf course and leadership in the community. Kirk graduated this year from ECU with a Bachelor’s of Science in economics and Master of Arts in mathematics with a 3.99 (undergrad) /4.0 (graduate) grade point average.

Kirk has won many awards in her time at ECU, but this one is her favorite honors because of what it gives back to the university.

“Some of the awards are great because they bring scholarship money in my name,” said Kirk. “I like this one the most because it brings publicity to our golf program, and gives something back to them (remaining members of the Women’s golf team).”

Her coach, Kevin Williams, said that the award and everything it brings to the program is important.

“This is a great honor for her,” said Williams. “This is great for our program, because we get a $10,000 check from the LPGA foundation.”

Kirk is glad to be able to help the program, because East Carolina women’s golf program has been important for her life.

“What’s so special about getting that award is it’s already given me an opportunity to give back to the university,” said Kirk. “These past four years, ECU’s Women’s Golf program has really been everything for me.”

Kirk said that she grew up fast as a golfer in the ECU program. While she was a senior this year and mentored two freshmen on the team, she said that her sophomore year was the beginning of her leadership role on the team.

“My sophomore year we had no seniors,” said Kirk. “I had to step up to the plate at times as a younger player.”

Although, this award means a lot to her, it is not her favorite golf moment. She birdied her last golf hole of her collegiate career, and she said that is her favorite moment in golf.

Many winners of this award go on to have careers in the LPGA. The last winner Emily Tubert has played on the LPGA. Amy Anderson, the 2012 winner, had her rookie season last year. But the most special winner to Kirk is her favorite golfer; Stacy Lewis. Stacy Lewis won the award in 2007.

“Stacy Lewis is top in the world,” said Kirk. “To see that I received the same honor that she has it gives me inspiration and motivation.”

Kirk said that she thinks the team’s future is bright, and that the program will become better going forward.

“We have a lot of talent,” said Kirk. “I can definitely see this team making it to nationals in the next five or ten years, at least once.”

Kirk plans to stay at ECU for graduate school for about two years. She plans to try to play some professional golf while she goes to grad schools. She plans to use her education to become an actuary.