Family’s natural decided against career in golf

Her father Steve is the longtime head professional at one of the area’s most revered country clubs. One brother, Alex, is ranked No. 8 on the Nationwide Tour’s list of leading money winners, having already pocketed $192,700. The other, Corey, recently took home a check for $11,000 after winning the 2009 Rosauers Open, the richest event staged by the Pacific Northwest PGA.

All three won individual state championships for Ferris High School and went on to claim several other prominent amateur titles.

Yet, the best natural swing in Spokane’s First Family of Golf – according to her father, who is also one of the top teachers in the region – belongs to Hillary Prugh Carls, who was the only one of Steve and Susan Prugh’s three children who did not pursue a career in golf.

Instead, the 30-year-old Carls, who was a four-year letterwinner and All-Big Sky Conference golfer at Montana State University, went on to earn a law degree from Lewis & Clark College in Portland and was recently named a full partner in the Bozeman-based law firm of Angel, Coil & Bartlett.

“It made sense,” Steve Prugh said of his daughter’s decision to practice law. “She’s always been kind of argumentative, so she knows how to argue a case.

“But she’s also a wonderful golfer. I think she’s got the best natural swing of anyone in our family. Her swing just melts in butter. It’s so pretty, it’s ridiculous, but golf was never the end all or love of her life like it tends to be with our two boys.”

So these days, Hillary Prugh Carls feels fortunate if she can squeeze five or six rounds of golf a summer into her hectic schedule, occasionally playing with her husband Tom, a building contractor, in corporate scramble events where she still can wow her playing partners with her ability to move a golf ball.

During one recent outing with a male colleague who was not familiar with her golf history or golf swing, Prugh Carls was challenged to a money game. It was a challenge she readily accepted, and when her opponent – after hitting his opening tee shot from the white tees – suggested she move up and play from the reds, she respectfully declined and proceeded to laser her drive from those same white tees to within a few yards of his.

“He was really surprised,” Prugh Carls said. “He didn’t suggest I play from the red tees again the rest of the way, and, fortunately, I ended up beating him, as well.”

Prugh Carls said she toyed with the idea of trying to make a living playing golf – but only briefly.

“I had a friend who also played golf in college who asked me if I would ever consider moving to Europe and playing on the women’s European Tour,” she said. “When you’re 21 or 22 years old, that sounds like a fabulous idea. But I had some doubts about whether I was good enough.”

So after finishing the 18th hole in her final collegiate tournament, Prugh Carls walked off the green and into the arms of her father, who was part of the small gallery following her group.

“I gave him a great big hug, because I kind of figured that was my last round of competitive golf,” she said. “He told me, ‘You can make it (in golf) if you want,’ and I did think about it. But I didn’t think about it very long – especially as far as playing competitive golf was concerned, because I had so many other interests, and I knew I was never going to be able to make the lifestyle commitment that would enable me to have success.”

Despite the success of her two younger brothers, Prugh Carls has no regrets about not trying to play golf professionally.

“I’m happy for Alex and Corey,” she said. “I follow them both and my husband is like the unofficial president of Alex’s fan club. In fact, when he won the New Zealand Open earlier this year, Tom was calling me with hole-by-hole updates.

“But I feel very fortunate to do what I’m doing. I still love golf, maybe even more than ever, because now I can come out and have a beer while I’m playing and not be so serious about it.”

Ron Raver Memorial

Eastern Washington University’s 22nd annual Ron Raver Memorial Golf Classic will be held Wednesday at Indian Canyon and The Creek at Qualchan golf courses.

The scramble format event starts at 1 p.m., with entry fees – which include dinner, beverages, range balls, greens fees, cart and EWU football game tickets – ranging from $125 per person to $2,000 for a major sponsorship package.

Additional details can be found at goeags.com, or by calling 509-359-2463 or 1-800-648-7697.