July 19, 2010

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -

Illinois junior-to-be Nora Lucas has had a busy week after being named to the National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar team and winning the 106th Chicago City Amateur, hosted by the Chicago Park District.

Scholarly Success
Lucas was recognized as a member of The National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar Team. The team, compromising student-athletes from Division I, II and III were announced, with 494 women’s collegiate golfers tabbed for this prestigious honor.

The National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar Team has criteria for selection that is one of the stringent in college athletics. The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.50 and student-athletes mist have competed in at least 50% of the college’s regularly scheduled competitive rounds during the year.

“We are very excited to again have our team represented on the NGCA All-American Scholar Team,” head coach Renee Slone said. “Our program has had a great tradition of high academic achievement with team members named to the NGCA All-American Scholar Team in 17 of the past 23 years. Given the high academic standards here at the University of Illinois and the stringent requirements of this award, we are very proud of Nora's accomplishment.”

Chicago City Amateur Medalist
Lucas was declared the 106th Chicago City Amateur women’s champion after shooting a 54-hole total 218, with rounds of 74-72-72. The 106th Chicago City Amateur was held from July 8-11 at the Chicago Park District Jackson Park golf course. Lucas came in at five-over par, 25 shots ahead of runner-up Claudia Schwan at 30-over par and 36 shots in front of third place Amy Binstein at 41-over par.

“My grandma, who originally taught me the game, grew up around that neighborhood,” said Lucas. “It meant a lot to play well and win there.”