Her goal of attending Duke University is a reality, became a student and member of the Blue Devil golf team in the fall.
"I've been wearing Duke stuff since I was two-years old, when there was a picture taken of me in a Duke cheerleading uniform," she explained at the 2019 ANWA. "Duke is one of the best golf programs in the history of golf and to be a part of that and next year to be on a Duke team that has some of the best players in the world is very exciting."
The roots go even deeper as her full name is Erica Leigh Shepherd, being named for former Duke All-America golfer Leigh Ann Hardin, her godmother, who helped to lead Duke to 33 team victories over her career, four ACC Championships and the 2002 NCAA Championship.
This young lady is definitely a Blue Devil and on April 4, 2019 at the Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, Ga., she completed a second goal as she finished as one of the top qualifiers and advance to play in the first women's competition ever at the famed August National Golf Club, the home of the Masters on Saturday, April 6, 2019.
Shepherd, who finished T-19 at two-over-par will be joined in the historic round at Augusta with Blue Devil sophomore Jaravee Boonchant, who put together back-to-back even rounds to stand tied for seventh after the first two days of competition.
The story of Shepherd's march to Augusta National over the past two days, especially Thursday's second round, show us quite a bit about this Blue Devil.
Following an opening round one-under-par, 71, Shepherd stood tied for eighth with only the top 30 finishers from the first two days of play at Champions Retreat advancing to the final round.
In her second round, she was working very hard with greens firmer and a brisk wind. She had dropped three shots on the day, but remained above the cut line until she bogeyed the 15th hole, when her approach shot came up short and she had to attempt an awkward chip short of the green on a severe incline. Her chip was long and two putts later, she suddenly dropped to three-over-par and on the bubble to advance.
Heading to the 16th tee, you could see the determination in the face of the 18-year-old from Greenwood, Ind.
"I knew I had to birdie at least one of my remaining holes to make it," Shepherd explained. "I like knowing where I am in a tournament and putting that pressure on myself."
In the fairway of the 390-yard 16th hole she flew an approach shot over the top of flag and two-putted for a par that righted the ship and gave her the opportunity she needed with a par three and par five left in front of her.
The 17th was a 176-yard par three with a strong wind coming off the left side marsh area. The lefty backed off a couple of time before deciding on what club she would hit.
"I saw the scoreboard at the 10th hole from the 17th tee and knew for sure I needed to birdie one of these last two holes," said Shepherd. "So I pulled my 4-iron and hit a knock down hold off shot, that faded just enough."
The ball ended up 15 feet above the hole, but in position for a birdie putt, which ended up short, but a clean tap in would give Shepherd the opportunity to birdie 18 and scratch off one more item from a young girl's bucket list.
As she walked to the 18th tee she knew what she had to do. A bogey the previous day was out of her head as she striped a tee shot down the middle of the 470-yard hole.
Not unexpected for a player of her pedigree. She represented her country as a member of the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team and 2018 U.S. Junior Solheim Cup team, while winning the 2017 U.S. Girls' Junior Amateur. Her 2018 highlights include a runner-up finish at the Polo Golf Junior Classic and a tied for second finish at the PING Invitational, as well as making the cut in an LPGA event in Indianapolis. She has also qualified for both the U.S. Women's Amateur and U.S. Women's Open in 2018.
With 221 yards to the pin, she didn't feel strong about laying up and hitting a wedge into the par five. Her last wedge shot of the tournament was on the 15th hole, where she hit it short and ended up with a bogey on the hole.
"I felt good with the fairway wood in my hand," she explained. "I would rather miss in the bunker, than have a short chip shot."
That is exactly what she did. Her second shot nearly made the green rolling off the front portion of the green into a greenside bunker. Her blast from the bunker ended up close enough to the pin for her to knock it in for the needed birdie.
"Today was a rough day, a lot of grinding out there, I couldn't really get any momentum, so to get the birdie on the final hole was really good," she explained.
And the realization that she would be playing at Augusta was really good as well.
"I can't really image what it will be like to compete at Augusta," she said. "To play a tournament round and be a part of the first ever women's tournament at Augusta will be something special."
Her dream came a reality and it didn't disappoint.
Following her round at Augusta National, Shepherd said "It was amazing. I have played in four LPGA events and I have never seen this many people here. So I am just overwhelmed with how good this is for women's golf. I definitely had nerves, but I play best when I am like that."
#GoDuke
Story was originally written by Johnny Moore of GoDuke The Magazine
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