Rachel Heck has no expectations for her final U.S. women’s amateur. She has good reasons.
Heck received her Prop and Wings last week after graduating the Air Force ROTC field training in Alabama. Heck spent 17 days undergoing rigorous training and drills as part of her journey towards becoming a Second Lt in the Air Force after she graduates from Stanford.
Heck stated, “I did not have my phone and there was no Golf.” We woke up every morning at 4 am, and the guards took our watches away so we had no idea what time it was.
She will be playing with 155 of the best women’s golfers in the world at the U.S. Women’s Amateur 2023 at Bel-Air Country Club, Los Angeles. This will be her 7th appearance at the oldest women’s amateur championship in the World.
It was the 17 days she spent in Alabama that helped prepare her to compete at the Women’s Amateur, as well as for her future life on the golf courses or as a member of the military.
Heck stated, “It was the biggest mental and physically challenge I have ever faced.” It was by far my most rewarding experience and transformed me. I learned so many things. “I left with a new family.”
Heck is a well-known amateur golfer in the United States. She won the medalist award in stroke play after the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Heck won the Pac-12 Championship, the NCAA Regional, and the NCAA Championship in her first year at Stanford. She was awarded the 2021 ANNIKA Award as the women’s college athlete of the year.
She was also a student in one of the top universities in the nation, and she participated in the Air Force ROTC.
Rachel Heck received her Props and Wings recently after graduating Air Force ROTC field training. (Photo provided)
She decided to try the ROTC program in her first year. The plan was to try it for one year, and then decide if it worked. She fell in love.
Heck explained, “I quickly realized that I needed to do something else in life other than golf.” I didn’t think that putting my eggs in one basket would lead to a fulfilled life.
Heck was told by many that she could not handle being a Division I athlete at Stanford and in an ROTC.
It was even more sweeter to see her receive Prop and Wings in the last week. She compared the feeling she had riding from the 17th Green to the clubhouse of Grayhawk Golf Club in 2022 after winning the national team title to that.
It was very special, Heck said. “I’ve been overwhelmed so many times and felt like I couldn’t do anything. But I always managed to get through it.”
Heck gives credit to her support system, including her family, her teammates, and her coaches, for helping her on her journey. It hasn’t always been easy.
Heck underwent surgery in March for thoracic outlets syndrome. This involved the removal of her first rib. From October to the first round at the NCAA Championship, Heck didn’t play any competitive rounds of golf due to the injury. Heck shot 82 in her round and was emotional afterward.
She embraced her leadership role and helped Stanford win the stroke-play championship, even though she was not playing.
Now that Heck is healthy again, she heads to Los Angeles for her last summer of the season to try to win the Robert Cox Trophy. She is aware that this may be difficult as she has had less practice than anyone else in the field due to her field training. Heck says that the benefits she receives from being a member of the Air Force ROTC outweigh the sacrifices made by her in golf.
“I feel super blessed. “I feel such gratitude to be playing the game of golf,” Heck said. But it’s been a very rewarding few months, culminating in an extremely rewarding 17 days.
Heck still has one year left in ROTC. This time, she will be a first-year squadron leader, where her leadership skills can be showcased.
She’s never played Bel-Air, but she will get to play practice rounds on Saturday and Sunday ahead of her tee-off time in the afternoon on Monday. She said that her last amateur USGA tournament has allowed her to reflect on an incredible amateur career.
Heck stated, “They are so amazing with this event.” “I am just thrilled. I am full of gratitude. “I have a new perspective on life and the game after all that has happened in the past two years.
