MOSCOW, Idaho - University of Idaho golf coach Lisa Johnson discovered not all flight delays are bad. In fact, one such delay about one year ago landed a Florida national-letter-of-intent signee - a player Johnson calls a "diamond in the rough."
Julia Hitchins, a 2009 graduate of Palm Beach Gardens High School, joins the Vandals this fall after spending the last few months attending Palm Beach Community College and working on her golf game.
"She took the year off (from organized competition) to work on her game," Johnson said. "She's definitely a diamond in the rough who has solid fundamentals and a great work ethic."
Johnson learned about Hitchins when, as she was returning from a recruiting trip to Florida, her flight was delayed and she struck up a conversation with Hitchins' teaching pro.
"He was telling me he thought she'd be a solid college player," Johnson said. "We anticipate she'll be a solid contributor to our team next year."
Hitchins was a three-year golf letterwinner at Palm Beach Gardens. She was her team's sportsmanship and most improved award winner as a junior - the year the team won its district tournament and finished fourth at regionals. As a senior, Palm Beach Gardens was ninth at state. She was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the 4.0 GPA Club in Sports and Academics and a Future Business Leaders of America award winner.
