College player of the year from Duke signs with the swoosh

Three-time women's national college player of the year Amanda Blumenherst of Duke has joined Nike's tour staff.

Blumenherst, winner of the 2008 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, signed a multi-year agreement and will sport Nike clubs, balls, apparel, footwear, glove, bag, headwear and accessories.

Blumenherst will be making her professional debut at the Michelob Ultra Duramed Futures Players Championship this week.

“Amanda is a tremendous addition to the Nike Golf staff,” said Kel Devlin, Global Sports Marketing Director for Nike Golf. “Every facet of her game is impressive. She’s an inspirational athlete who already has proven her talent through an illustrious amateur career.”

Blumenherst, who is from Scottsdale, Arizona, was named the National Player of the Year in her first three years at Duke University while leading the women’s team to two NCAA Championships in 2006 and 2007. Recently, Blumenherst received the Dinah Shore Trophy by the LPGA foundation for the second consecutive year.

The Dinah Shore award is presented to the female collegiate golfer who excels in both academics and athletics. Blumenherst graduated magna cum laude from Duke with a degree in History and a minor in English and Theatre Studies.

Although this week marks her debut as a professional, Blumenherst has competed in professional tournaments as an amateur in five LPGA events in the last three years, including the U.S. Women’s Open in 2006 and 2007 where she finished tied for 10h and 50th.