WORTHINGTON -- In the fall of 2002, Ingrid Rickers had everything going her way. A sophomore on a full-ride golfing scholarship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Rickers was competing at the Cornhusker Invitational in Omaha, Neb., when the bottom fell out.
"I suffered an injury to my left wrist and into my thumb while playing a bunker shot," Rickers, the daughter of Marty and Pam Rickers of Worthington, explained. "I couldn't swing a club without experiencing a lot of pain."
What appeared to be a minor disablement at the time, turned out to be more serious than originally diagnosed. Rickers had ruptured her extensor tendon, ending her collegiate golfing career.
"It devastated me," Rickers said. "It had always been a dream of mine to win a NCAA title, and the injury basically ended that dream."
Following a series of three surgeries in which a portion of her tendon was replaced, the 2001 Worthington High School graduate is back in action -- competing today in the second round of the women's state amateur championships at the Rochester Country Club. Rickers opened play with a round of 83 on Monday.
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While the dream of a NCAA title is no longer available to Rickers, who graduated this spring with a degree in biology and women's studies, her game is back on track.
"I really don't have any swelling after I play anymore," Rickers said. "So it's nice to be able to play without pain and focus on my game."
Her game, which led Rickers to two high school state titles and two All-American honors as a Trojan, has changed over the course of her rehabilitation. Once a hitter that blasted the ball past opponents off the tee, Rickers now points to her short game as her greatest strength.
"Because I was limited in what I could do while I was healing, I had a lot of time to work on my putting," Rickers explained. "My short game used to be the weakest part of my game, but it has improved tremendously and is now my strength."
Rickers' development as a golfer is akin to that of Tiger Woods, picking up clubs almost before she could walk. She attributes much of her success to two people, her father and longtime coach/friend Terry Crouch.
Rickers worked with Crouch, who recently retired to Spirit Lake, Iowa, from Sioux Falls, S.D., for about 12 years. Although Crouch doesn't coach her anymore, he still keeps tabs on his prodigy.
"We still talk golf a lot," Rickers said. "He still gives great advice and I value his opinion."
Rickers praises Crouch for having helped her develop her mental game, while her father receives the kudos for instilling her relentless work ethic.
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"I learned from him what it takes to be the best," Rickers said. "Without his guidance and patience, I could easily have been a mediocre player. It's been a combination of what each taught me that has helped me achieve my goals."
Her goal this week is a state amateur title. Rickers will have to contend against 92 players over 54 holes in Rochester. Chances are that Rickers will face several former high school foes during the three-day competition, including 2005 amateur champion Chrissie McArdle and 2005 MGA Women's Player of the Year, Claudia Pilot.
"I'm enjoying my return to the game, and I'm excited to be competing against top players again," Rickers said. "On any given day, you can have a great round or a miserable one. But I've beaten everybody before, and I'm playing well right now."
