Leaving A Legacy On The Links

By Kim Ling,
Associate Athletics Media Relations Director

The late Payne Stewart said "I'm going to a special place when I die, but I want to make sure my life is special while I'm here." Stewart made an impact on golf through his play and his passion, which inspired Ole Miss senior Dori Carter, who models her game after the three-time major winner.

"He was just such a great player, and I loved what he brought to the game," said Carter, a native of Valdosta, Ga. He had so much enthusiasm. I have been to Pinehurst a few times to play in a golf tournament (North/South Amateur), where he won his last major (1999 US Open). He's got a statue there with his fist pump after making the (famous) putt at the last hole. Walking by and seeing him is so neat. Unfortunately, he died in that plane crash, but every time I go to Pinehurst he's still got the spirit there. Everyone loves him. I would love to have that legend."

Carter is well on her way to earning legend status at Ole Miss.

In her first two seasons, she led the team in stroke average while playing in every tournament. But, at the end of her sophomore year (2006-07), a coaching change sparked the beginning of a new day in Ole Miss women's golf. Michele Drinkard, a two-time Big South Coach of the Year at Birmingham Southern, was hired in May of 2007.

"At the end of my sophomore year we went through the coaching change, and it was very difficult just to make the adjustment," Carter said. "It was something I had never even considered or expected when I signed on to play. I was recruited by coach (Drinkard) to Birmingham Southern, so I had known her in the past. It worked out in the end."

In just one and a half years, Carter has seen dramatic improvements in the overall team and is excited about the future with Drinkard at the helm.

"She brings it all," Carter said. "She's been so successful. She works well with us. She's very cooperative with our schedules, and she helps us on and off the golf course, especially with her teaching skills. She is very knowledgeable about the game, and it just inspires us. We've done real well with her here."

With Drinkard helping her, Carter put her name in the record books at Ole Miss last year. She became the first All-American (honorable mention) in the program's history as well as earning All-SEC first team honors.

In fact when she found out that she had been named to the All-SEC first team, Carter wasn't sure how to react.

"I got the call when coach and I were out playing golf, and I looked at coach and said 'now what does that mean.'" "I wasn't quite sure exactly what it meant. It didn't hit me, but now that I realize that it's such an honor, it's pretty great. It just shows how much coach has changed our program, and I hope to do it again this year."

Carter's 73.83 stroke average last year ranks as the lowest average in a season in the history of the program. Carter also set school records for lowest 54-hole score, (205 at the Alabama Crimson Tide Classic) and lowest single-round score (65 at the Crimson Tide Classic).

All of these accomplishments earned Carter a chance to play in her home state at the NCAA East Regional in Athens, Ga. It was an experience she relished and hopes to repeat this year with the entire team.

"We just need to continue what we're doing," said Carter who this fall helped the Rebels claim the Johnie Imes Invitational as well as two other top five finishes. "We don't need to get too ahead of ourselves. We had a great fall, and if this was the spring semester, we would be in (NCAAs). We just need to keep it up. We have to continue our great play and carry our success from the fall over to the spring. We have to stay positive, not give up and keep working like we've been doing."

Carter followed up last year's success this fall by finishing second twice and earning three top fives in four events. Named the SEC Golfer of the Week on Oct. 16, Carter is ranked No.13 in the nation by Golfstat and owns a 71.50 stroke average. What's left to accomplish?

"My first goal is to win a tournament after so many second-place finishes (five in her career)," Carter said. "My second goal is to make All America status again but make the first or second team. I just need to focus on keeping my priorities in order and helping the team out too, because we have great goals set for the spring. We want to win another event and qualify for (NCAA) Regionals."

Perhaps the team might win its own event, as they are set to host the Rebel Intercollegiate April 3-5 at the newly renovated University Golf Course.

"It's so exciting," Carter said. "It's great for the golf program; because we haven't been able to have the Oxford community come watch us play. I'm hoping that it will turn out to be a success obviously for the women's program, but for golf in general. Hopefully we can get some support from Oxford and the fans."

Carter hopes to one day play professionally on the LPGA Tour and make a name for her self like Stewart did on the PGA Tour.

"When my college career is over, I'm going to play the amateur events in the summer," Carter said. "Then starting next fall when I am finishing up school, I am going to prepare for tour qualifying school. Q-school is two rounds-one in October and the second one in December. Hopefully I can start the professional tour next January."

First, there's more to accomplish at Ole Miss.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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