Virada Nirapathpongporn or “Pro Oui” is the first golfer from Thailand and Duke University to win the U.S. Women’s Amateur, a distinguished amateur golf tournament, and the first Thai female golfer to win an LPGA Tour card officially.
She was one of the main golfers in Duke Women’s golf team and brought the team to multiple championships. She won an individual ACC Championships in 2001, earned the National Player of the Year award and won the NCAA Championships in 2002, and became one of the seven alumni to be enshrined in Duke University’s Hall of Fame in 2016.
Duke Athletics Hall of Fame of Duke University was first awarded officially in 1975. 41 years later, there are only 131 recipients, more than half from American football and basketball while only ten were from golf.
Currently, Pro Oui is coaching the national Ladies team and the host of international and Thai golf channels.
Career Highlights:
- ACC Player of the Year 2001-02
- ACC Individual Champion 2001
- NCAA Individual Champion 2002
- Honda Award 2001-02
- U.S. Amateur Champion 2003
- Nancy Lopez Award 2004
- LPGA Tour card 2006