When asked to grade her performance in her inaugural Ladies Professional Golf Association event, Amy Eneroth reluctantly gave herself a C-minus.

“Only because of the way I came back after that terrible start,” explained the 22-year-old Mead High School graduate and former standout at Washington State University, who kicked off her professional golf career Friday by shooting an opening-round 78 in the Safeway Classic at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Ore.

But when it came to grading her overall first-time LPGA experience, Eneroth eagerly handed out an A.

“Even though I didn’t play that well, I looked around and saw all the players I’ve always looked up to and realized they’re really not that much better than me,” she said, after posting a 6-over-par total that included double bogeys on two of her first four holes and left her tied with three other golfers for 131st place in the $1.7 million event – and in need of a career round today to make the 36-hole cut and play Sunday.

“I beat a couple of them today, tied a few, and realized I have what it takes to make it out here. I’m just not as consistent as most of them are,” she said.

Eneroth, who finished her collegiate career at WSU this spring and plans to graduate next May with a degree in a sports management and a minor in business, is playing in the Safeway Classic on a sponsor’s exemption she earned by winning a qualifying event at Langdon Farms Golf Club in Aurora, Ore., earlier this summer.

She is spending the week in the Portland area with her parents, Dave and Dovie Eneroth, and taking in as much of the tournament atmosphere as she can.

“I practiced quite a bit on my off time,” Eneroth said, “but (Thursday) I went out to the pro-am event and followed Kristy McPherson and some other top players around. I was just kind of watching to see what they do and how I compare.

“I think I’ve had a good mix of practicing and, also, experiencing the whole LPGA thing.”

Eneroth’s opening round, which left her 12 shots behind tournament leader Beth Bader, was a wild ride that tested her mental toughness, as well as her considerable physical talents.

For the whole story, see Bergum.