Blumenherst wins women's amateur award

BRASELTON, Ga., June 11 (UPI) -- Amanda Blumenherst was selected for the third consecutive year as the winner of the Nancy Lopez Award given to the outstanding female amateur golfer.

Blumenherst, the reigning U.S. Women's Amateur champion, is a three-time national player of the year and led Duke to the NCAA women's golf title in 2006 and 2007. She graduated from Duke recently and turned professional in May.

"Winning the Nancy Lopez Award for the third year in a row is an incredible honor," said Blumenherst. "I am so excited to have accomplished this, especially because Nancy Lopez has been my role model since I started playing golf. To win an award which includes her name and that she believes in so much is an amazing honor and achievement. It is an excellent way to conclude my amateur career."

She won a vote of committee members from the American Junior Golf Association, Georgia State Golf Association and Atlanta Classic Foundation. Previous winners include Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel. The award was first given in 2000.

No player before Blemenherst, who also won in 2007 and 2008, won the Nancy Lopez Award more than once.