At Ohio State University
Rohanna has successful freshman season Rachel Rohanna, along with thousands of other graduating seniors, began the next phase of her young life last fall when she matriculated to the hallowed halls of Ohio State University.
But, unlike those who survived their freshman year in college, the Waynesburg Central graduate emerged from her first year as a college student-athlete as the Lady Buckeyes’ No. 1 golfer and a member of the All-Big Ten first team.
Rohanna played 34 rounds of golf between the fall and spring seasons with a team-low stroke average of 75.24 (for an aggregate total of 113-over-par in 34 scoring rounds), just a tad better than In Hong Lim’s 75.53. Her best score was a 70 in the first round (of three) of the Lady Northern Invitational, where she finished fourth overall with a 2-over 218. Rohanna’s worst round was an 81 in the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic.
Rohanna’s best individual finish was second in the Lady Buckeye Spring Invitational with a three-round total of 228 (12-over). She shot a 12-over 225 in the three-round NCAA West Regional, tying for 30th while recording the lowest score for the Lady Buckeyes.
“I wasn’t really expecting much. I really didn’t think I’d be the No. 1 player. There are so many great players here,” said Rohanna, adding Ohio State’s top player left the team last fall.
“I went into college a little nervous. The biggest thing was I had to control my emotions. I still need to work on it. The more experience you give yourself, the more opportunity you have to get birdies. You learn to play smart and not try to pull off something.”
Life as a college athlete is obviously far more demanding, even without the classroom responsibilities. Her day would usually begin around 6:40 a.m. daily with golf responsibilities, and then a full day of classes. A couple days a week in the fall quarter, Rohanna’s day ended at 9:40 p.m.
“It’s way different,” Rohanna said, adding the fitness workouts included running stadium steps. “The coach expects us to be there 4-to-6 hours a day. A four-hour workout would really get to us.
“At the same time, both coaches knew what it took to succeed. (The practice time) really helped my ball striking.”
Rohanna, an agribusiness/applied economics major, fared well in the classroom, noting playing golf was a big part of that success.
“It wasn’t too difficult. You have to get your work done. I think (time management) might be easier being an athlete,” explained Rohanna.
Her play for the Lady Buckeyes was noticed locally, earning her the Frank Fuhrer III Award by the WPGA in recognition for accomplishments. Rohanna is the first female to be so recognized in the eight-year history of the award.
Rohanna has kept busy this summer, playing in the U.S. Women’s Public Links Championship last week and attempting to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open, which begins Thursday, July 8, at Oakmont.
“When I heard about Oakmont hosting the Open, I knew I had to qualify. I waited two years (for the chance),” said Rohanna, the daughter of Tom and Debbie Rohanna. Her sister Emily plays for Waynesburg Central.
Three golfers qualified out of the Fox Chapel Country Club site, and Rohanna was tied for third after the first round with a 75.
“I was 1-under after the first eight holes. My brother (Tommy) caddied for me. I never focused so much before,” said Rohanna.
Things continued to go well for Rohanna in the afternoon 18 as she finished one stroke better on the back nine (her first nine holes) than she had in the morning session.
“I knew there were two par-5s I could reach in two (on the front nine). Physically, mentally, I was ready for it,” said Rohanna.
Scores didn’t come as planned over the final nine holes, though. She three-putted for par on one of those par-5s, and then with four holes to go she carded a double bogey. A bogey, then another bogey followed, and then the rain came after she hit her final drive.
“The double bogey was bad on my part. It was a long par-3 and I should’ve taken bogey. I missed a two-footer for par on the 35th hole. I crushed a drive on the final hole, but then play was called off,” said Rohanna. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to come back the next day.”
She decided to finish out, staying at friend and competitor Nadia Luttner’s house.
“It gave me a chance to cool down. I had no idea how anyone else was doing,” said Rohanna. “My second shot hooked into a sand trap. I hit out and parred.
“To know those four strokes kept me out. It’s tough.”
Rohanna finished as the second alternate, and now waits for a phone call to see if she’ll be in the field. Rohanna is keeping hope alive until the final group tees off Thursday.
She advanced to the round of 16 in the Public Links, losing to eventual runner-up, Lisa McCloskey. Rohanna had two rounds of 72 in stroke play at the University of Notre Dame’s course, and then won her round of 64 match, 3 and 2. She advanced to the third round with a 4 and 3 win, before losing to McCloskey.
Just how Rohanna qualified for the Public Links was a bit more interesting.
“I was still in school, so I went to Wisconsin to qualify. I had a direct flight from Pittsburgh to Milwaukee, but my clubs never made it,” said Rohanna. “So I borrowed the pro’s clubs. I played only seven holes in the practice round because it rained.
“They called around 12:30 a.m. to let me know my clubs were in. My mom was my caddy, so I’d hit to around 150 yards in, and she would run ahead to let me know about the hole.”
Maybe Rohanna should maintain the same approach in the future because she went out in 36, and came back in 33 for a 69 on a course she basically never played before.
Next up for Rohanna is qualifying for the U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship in York, Pa. She is one of a record 1,005 entries looking for one of the 156 berths in the championship held at The Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, N.C., on July 19-24.
As she looks forward in her golfing career, Rohanna has set a plan.
“Less is more. So many people are getting burned out. I take my time and have fun with it,” said Rohanna of her philosophy. “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life. College is helping get that experience that I need.
“I know I can play with (players on the pro tour). The biggest difference is the way they control themselves. They have a bad shot, they let it go. I’m working on my emotions.”