Staying Connected After Making History

By Carson Herbert, Sports Information Intern

An article published by pga.com in 2018 revealed the average golfer's odds of hitting a hole-in-one are 12,000 to 1, according to the National Hole-in-One Registry.

The story of the South Dakota State women's golf program's first hole-in-one begins on a perfect fall morning on the BanBury Golf Course in Boise, Idaho, Oct. 2, 2006.

There was nothing she nor the team did differently that day from other tournaments. The pre-outing routine was normal; eating breakfast, hitting the driving range to warm up, getting delivered to the first hole and mentally preparing for the tournament.

It was a warm morning with mild wind; the sun was starting to peak over the mountains behind hole No. 14, a 184-yard par 3. Dallas Willman, a senior women's collegiate golfer, grabbed her 5-wood and prepared to tee off on the second hole of the day. With the sun shining toward the pin and the Idaho mountains in the distance, Willman took her stance and struck the ball. The ball flew into the air, following the trajectory Willman lost it in the sun and redirected her view to the green when cheers erupted from her teammates behind the 14th green, along with her opponents and coaches next to her. She looked over to her coach, both with huge grins and celebrated the eagle.

Willman had hit not only her first career hole-in-one, but she also made school history.

"It's one of those things that when it happens, you are semi-numb that it even happened; that it takes a day or two later to realize that you got a hole-in-one," Willman said. "For golfers, you get close, you rim out, you get an inch or two away, it never seems to drop, and then all of a sudden it finally drops, and you are in shock."

Willman, a Cottonwood, Minnesota native, was in her second season playing for South Dakota State University. She began her collegiate career with Southwest Minnesota State University. After affirming her passion for interior design, Willman decided to transfer to SDSU to pursue the interior design program.

When deciding where to transfer, Willman compared her options with other state schools in the region but ultimately chose South Dakota State. It was close to home; the university was the perfect size for her and she was impressed with what the Jackrabbits golf program had to offer after talking with then-SDSU head coach Jared Baszler.

After playing against the Jacks with SMSU in Division II, Willman had the opportunity to be a part of SDSU's transition to Division I, which allowed her to play at a different competitive level and be provided different opportunities and resources within collegiate athletics. This included playing at more challenging courses like BanBury Golf Course in the Boise State Bronco Invitational.

Willman's rationale for transferring was clear, "I've always been one to rearrange the furniture in a room," Willman said. "I love materials. I always could envision a space being different in my head no matter where I went. I grew up on the Discovery Channel and TLC design shows. I also enjoyed helping people. Growing up, I initially wanted to be a teacher or an interior designer. I was fortunate enough to be able to pursue both my passions at State, in golf and interior design".

Following her golf career, Willman finished her undergraduate education and then decided to stay on campus and pursue a master's degree in industrial management.

She finally got the chance to combine the passions of teaching and interior design with her alma mater in 2015. After spending time as an emergency hire, she was officially hired in 2017 as a full-time instructor.

"It's interesting that my two degrees are from State, I worked here as a student, I was a student-athlete and now I'm back to working here as a professional," Willman said. "I usually tell people I bleed blue; I am a Jackrabbit through and through."

She currently teaches seven classes and has a busy schedule, including working for Architecture Incorporated in Sioux Falls, as an interior designer and being a member of several professional organizations.

While that leaves her little free time, Willman said she still finds time to hit the links.

Willman has stayed active in the sport with company golf outings in the summer and playing recreationally with friends and family. According to Willman, her husband Chris Brozik, Vice President and Principal Engineer at Civil Design Inc in Brookings, also enjoys golfing, which has increased her connection with the sport.

"We are members of the Brookings Country Club and we play as much as we can," she said. "He finally got me back into the competitive realm and we played our first state am this last summer, and we ended up getting third in the state husband and wife championship flight. Following this success, we are going to try to play more competitive couples golf consistently."

She also stays connected with the Jackrabbits golf program by following them on social media.

"(Casey VanDamme) has done wonderful things," Willman said about SDSU's director of golf. "There are days where I think, 'Man, I wish I would have been able to be part of it now with the chipping and putting practice facility, simulators and him being a professional swing coach. (VanDamme) is bringing the program to the next level."

"It truly has been an honor to be a part of the Jackrabbit community all these years. We do provide such a special experience here at State. I am fortunate to have parents, family, and a husband that have supported my continued career as an athlete, interior designer and teacher. Go Jacks!"

Willman's run as the lone Jackrabbit to hit a hole-in-one ended Oct. 20, 2017, when sophomore Brooke Pierson hit a hole-in-one on the par-3, 121-yard 12^th hole at the Boulder Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas.

The SDSU women's team opens its spring season Feb. 16-17 at the Reynolds Lake Oconee Collegiate in Greensboro, Ga.

For more information on the South Dakota State women's golf team, follow the Jackrabbits on Twitter (@GoJacksGolf).

-GoJacks.com-

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