Katelyn Dambaugh, 15, of Goose Creek, S.C., and a sophomore at Pinewood Prep in Summerville, S.C., has advanced to the championship match in her first-ever appearance in a USGA championship. She also is vying to become the first female left-hander to win a USGA title. USGA communications staff writer David Shefter chatted briefly with the 2010 U.S. Girls’ Junior finalist.
Question:I talked to you yesterday about the blisters on your feet, how are they today?
Dambaugh:They are horrible, actually. It was a lot better this morning, but it’s still bad.
Question:Do you have a favorite club in your bag?
Dambaugh:Probably my pitching wedge.
Question:If I made you czar of golf for a day, what would you change about the game?
Dambaugh:More holes going to the right.
Question:Obviously Duke University is your favorite school as witnessed by your visor and driver head cover. When did you become a fan?
Dambaugh:I’ve been a fan my whole life. My older sister was born there. And our family has just been into Duke basketball forever.
Question:Do you have a favorite athlete or golfer?
Dambaugh:J.J. Redick. And Brittany Lang.
Question:Have you met Brittany Lang and did she give you any advice?
Dambaugh:She’s pretty nice. She said keep going for it and I can get there.
Question:You get to the final match in your first USGA event. How crazy is that?
Dambaugh:That’s ridiculous.
Question:What have the text messages or Facebook messages been like the past few days?
Dambaugh:I don’t know. I haven’t been on it yet. My mom’s phone has been blowing up.
Question:Are more people driving up to Pinehurst for the final on Saturday?
Dambaugh:I have like 10 people coming. That’s all I know right now. A couple teachers from my old school and maybe my Pinewood basketball coach and a couple of players. And a couple of my best friends. My actual golf coach is going to come up with two of his friends.
Question:I read on your bio that you are a big Justin Bieber fan. Have you seen him in concert?
Dambaugh:I am going August 8 to see his concert in Charlotte.
Question:You also play on the varsity basketball team at Pinewood. What’s the best part of your game?
Dambaugh:Three-pointers. My highest in a game is like seven. My JV basketball season three or four years ago, I had 39 or 40 all year.
Question:What’s been the coolest thing this week for you?
Dambaugh:Just meeting new people from like Mexico and Canada. That’s just cool.