Former Duck, Beaver to tee off at AmazingCre Portland Classic Pro-Am

PORTLAND, Ore. — The AmazingCre Portland Classic Pro-Am kicked off Wednesday afternoon and we were in Portland to catch up with a former Duck and a former Beaver before they tee off Thursday.

There's no more beautiful time of year in Oregon than the transition from summer to fall.

"The trees and just the amount of water and I love to backpack and camp and hike,” says pro golfer Ellie Slama. “I'm very outdoorsy so it's a good state for that, but the golf courses are also phenomenal here."

And playing the game you love gets even better when you get to play at home.

"Oregon is such a beautiful place, so I think it's awesome that we can showcase everything that Oregon and Portland and this amazing golf course has to offer," says pro golfer Caroline Inglis.

Inglis, the Eugene native and Churchill grad, had a legendary career at Oregon where she went on to become the Ducks’ first ever Pac-12 champion.

And now, after traveling all around the world as a professional, she gets the chance to come back and play at her home course.

"It's definitely, literally like a dream playing on the LPGA Tour. Sometimes I have to pinch myself every day, like you know, it's surreal sometimes. You set these goals for yourself and then you achieve them."

Inglis's game has grown in many ways since starting her pro career.

And one former Beaver will make her professional debut Thursday.

"I love being in Oregon and having it be my professional debut is a dream,” says Slama. “I couldn't have set this up better, so I cannot wait to see my family and friends out there and just be in my home state and playing my first pro event."

Slama, the Salem native and former Beaver, will tee off as a professional for the first time Thursday aside golfers that she has looked up to throughout her career.

"It's so cool to be out here and see them and just kind of be one of them and not necessarily have the nerves, but just have the excitement. I hope that maybe someday this will be my life on the LPGA Tour."

And although Inglis may be a seasoned pro and Slama just began her professional career Wednesday, both agree there is no place like home.

"It's so cool to have like friends and family and all the members come out here and watch me. Hopefully I can play some good golf and give them something to cheer for."