By JAMAR HUDSON, hudsonj@knews.com June 11, 2005

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- As Rachel Smith (Powell, Tenn.) looked at her name inscribed on the Women's Tennessee Amateur Championship trophy, it hit her.

"You don't realize how important winning here is until you see your name (on the trophy)," Smith said. "You've become a part of history. It's an honor."

The former Karns High School standout defeated former University of Tennessee women's golfer Shelley Anderson 4 and 2 Friday for her second consecutive title. Anderson had won consecutive titles in 1998 and 1999.

"My dad just told me to go out there and play par golf," Smith said. "I knew after 15 (holes) I had the win."

For Smith, a rising junior at Virginia, not only did her experience of winning last year's championship help her, but playing in 11 tournaments the past year for the Cavaliers gave her more than enough confidence heading into this year's tournament.

"This year I was more at ease out there and felt a little more comfortable," Smith said. "Playing in college prepares you so well. It takes away from the nervousness and it becomes a routine to play under pressure."

Smith hopes her success will continue throughout the summer as she plans to attend qualifiers for the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links and the U.S. Women's Amateur, both later this month. She also will compete in the Tennessee Women's Open and the North and South Amateur Championships.

Copyright 2005, Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.

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