Returning the Paige

A month ago, junior Washington golfer Paige Mackenzie captured her first NCAA tournament win at the Kent Youel Invitational Nov. 5.

A year ago, in November 2002, severe pain in her lower back forced Mackenzie to put away her clubs after leading the Washington team to a rank of seventh in the nation at the end of the 2002 fall season.

"At that point, we had no reason to believe that she wouldn't be back by the spring season," said women's golf coach Mary Lou Mulflur.

It was 11 1/2 months before Mackenzie could compete again.

In January, more than six weeks after her last tournament and more than six months after the pain appeared, doctors found two stress fractures in her lowest lumbar.

One month later, after several hours of physical therapy and strength training, it was discovered that Mackenzie had developed a bulging disc from loss in range of motion.

"The pain from the disc was worse," said Mackenzie, "and it lasted for about four months."

Mackenzie and her therapists tried everything, but nothing seemed to help.

"She was in so much pain that she wouldn't go to school some days because it hurt her too much to sit for more than a half-hour," said Brock Mackenzie, her older brother and All-American UW golfer.

Paige said that when doctors tried to strengthen her back, it only irritated the disc more and increased the pain.

"It was hard because it always felt fine during therapy, but I couldn't tell if it really helped until the next day," she said.

In July, six months after she discovered the fractures, Mackenzie finally found relief. She started seeing physical therapist Donna Bajelis and was able to start swinging in just a few short weeks.

"She was incredible," Mackenzie said of Bajelis. "I was playing again within two to four weeks, and I played my first 18 holes in England with my brother in the first or second week of September."

Less than a month later, she competed in her first tournament Oct. 6 through 8 at the Ihlanfeldt Invitational at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish. It was her first competition in 11 1/2 months, and with a 13-over 229, she led the UW team and finished 17th individually.

Two weeks later, at the same event on which she ended her 2002 fall season, Mackenzie finished third overall with a 6-under 210, one stroke behind the co-leaders. Her score led Washington to second place behind the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils and helped her team break the Huskies' 54-hole record by 24 strokes.

"I was really rusty mentally at Sahalee but I played really well at Stanford. We beat five of the top-10 ranked teams, and now we are ranked eighth as a team," Paige said after the event.

Last month, with rounds of 72, 71 and 71 at the par-72, 6,139-yard Kapolei Golf Course in Hawaii, Mackenzie won the Kent Youel Invitational, the final competition of the fall season.

"For me, the biggest thing about the win is that I just have been struggling for so long with my back," MacKenzie said. "It was more symbolic that I have gotten over the injury."

The team finished second in the event, just two strokes behind Oklahoma, and finished its season ranked 10th in the nation.

In addition to leading the team into the top 10, with her performances at Stanford and in Hawaii, MacKenzie is now ranked 12th among college women, after only three competitions since her injury.

"Words don't explain how happy I was for her," said Brock MacKenzie of his sister's win. "I was one of the few people who really saw her go through what she did."

Brock said that his sister's injury gave her a unique chance to grow mentally and learn more about herself.

"As a person and as a golfer, she came back stronger and healthier mentally after her injury," said Brock. "I think she has a fire in her right now and I think she realizes how much she enjoys being out there playing and competing."

Like her brother, Paige believes that her physical struggles improved the mental aspect of her game. She said she is surprised at her early success and only expects to improve when the spring season arrives.

"It always gets better with practice," said MacKenzie. "I think that is what I love about golf. You can never get too good at it. You can never stop improving."

She said that the increased hours of practice and the length of the season in college helped her understand the affects of training.

"I was successful in high school and growing up, but not one of the best in the country," said MacKenzie. "When I got to college the number of hours tripled and I practiced 11 months a year instead of six. I got 25th at nationals my freshman year and that's when I realized how much practice really helps, and that I could be one of the best."

Now, along with her usual team practices, MacKenzie spends several hours a week maintaining flexibility in her back and ensuring a full range of motion for her swing.

"I stopped strength training because I lost range of motion," said MacKenzie. "Now I do a lot of stretching, and our team is getting ready to start practicing yoga after this season."

The UW team won't compete until the Feb. 16-17 Bay Area Classic in San Jose, Calif. Until then, MacKenziewill get all the practice she needs to improve and become one of the best in the country.

A year ago, her injury forced her to stop golfing, but after only five events since she re-entered competition, she is already the 12th best in the country.

"I appreciate playing now, and I appreciate being able to practice," MacKenzie said. "I've been playing golf for 17 years, and I have realized that I can lose all that overnight -- or over 10 months."