CC Buford Welcomes Three New Golfers

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Second-year head coach CC Buford announced the additions of Michelle Forsland, Riley Hamilton and Julie Hillestad to the 2020-21 women's golf roster Thursday afternoon.

"We knew that this class was going to be critical to the foundation of taking ECU women's golf to the next level," Buford said. "To see that vision come together and sign this championship-level class is very rewarding and exciting for all of us here at East Carolina.

"Michelle, Riley and Julie were three players that we loved from the moment they were on our radar. They will bring a depth to our team that will be amongst the strongest in the country. These ladies will make an immediate impact on our program."

The trio will join Kathryn Carson, Dorthea Forbrigd, Caroline Hermes and Oda Sofie Kilsti, who helped the Pirates to a 53-41 record before the spring season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michelle Forsland, Kolbotn, Norway (Oklahoma State)
Oklahoma State (2018-20): Two-time Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholar for the Cowgirls … As a Senior (2019-20): Completed in four events during senior season at Oklahoma State earning her second career top 10 finish at the Trinity Forest Invitational where she carded a career-best 67 in second round action … Earned top 5 Senior Award in the department of management and general business … As a Junior (2018-19): Posted a seasonal stroke average of 75.74 and a to-par average of 3.96 … Finished third at the Anuenue Spring Break Classic helping the Cowgirls win the team title … Opened the season with a 1-over 217 at the prestigious ANNIKA Intercollegiate where she posted her best round of the season, a second-round 71 … Played 27 round with a pair of top 10 finishes and three round under par … Drained a birdie putt on the 18th hole for an eighth place finish and earning a spot on the All-Big 12 Championship Team … Jacksonville (2016-17): Two-time WGCA All-American Scholar for the Dolphins … Two-time All-ASUN Conference selection … Helped squad to a pair of tournament victories and two runner-up finishes … Earned second-team all-conference honors after posting a 74.40 stroke average her sophomore season … Claimed first career medalist honors at the Jacksonville Classic (one of two golfers finishing under par) … Opened collegiate career posting a 75.14 stroke average, which led the team … Named ASUN Conference Freshman-of-the-Year and claimed first-team all-league honors … Claimed a pair of top 10's including an eighth place finish at the ASUN Championship … Won the 2016 Norwegian match play championship and posted two wins at the 2015 Elite Junior Tour in Norway … Personal: Graduated in spring of 2020 from Oklahoma State (management) … Four-time Women's Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar (2017-20) … Daughter of Trude and Raymond Forsland … Has two siblings (Celine and Theodore).

Coach Buford's Comments: "Michelle has won at every level and I know that success will translate to her play here. We are thrilled to have a player with her experience and power joining our program. She knows our players and our program, and she has a competitive drive to win and be successful. That attitude will challenge all of us to be the best we can be, every day, as we set out to compete for championships here at East Carolina."

Riley Hamilton, Reidsville, N.C. (Rockingham HS)
Four-year letterwinner and team captain for coach Mike Williams … Four-time all-conference, three-time N.C. All-State and three time Team MVP selection … As a freshman helped the Cougars to a top 10 finish in the state championships … Followed stellar rookie season helping her squad to an undefeated season that culminated in a state title … Individually, she posted a undefeated campaign and won the boys individual state crown (2018 VISAA state champion) … During junior season, she posted a scoring average of 4-under par during the year … Helped the Cougars to the 2019 NC 3A women's team state crown … Placed third individually at the state tournament … Earned player-of-the-year and scholar-athlete-of-the-year honors … Closed out prep career with another top 10 finish in the state tournament and earning all-scholar-athlete accolades … Participated in several individual tournaments including: 2017 Carolina Junior PGA Championship (first/medalist), 2018 PKBGT Junior Masters at Greenville Country Club (first/medalist), 2018 Doral-Publix Junior Classic (tied fourth), 2018 PKBGT Palmetto Classic (top 10 finish), 2019 NC Junior Girls Championship (third place), 2019 Greenwood Junior Championship (third place) and 2019 Tar Heel Classic (third place) … Personal: Daughter of Melissa and Wayne Hamilton … Has one sibling (Beth) … National Honor Society member … Intended major is business with a minor in Spanish … Father played collegiate baseball at Saint Leo University.

Coach Buford's Comments: "I have a very special bond with Riley. She was our first commit for the 2020 class and my first as a head coach at East Carolina. She is the type of girl that makes me proud to represent ECU. She has an enthusiasm that is infectious and is a home-grown talent from North Carolina. We want to bring in the best players in the world and when we have one in our own back yard, we want to make sure we do all that we can to have them be a part of what we are building here at East Carolina."

Julie Hillestad, Hamar, Norway (Presbyterian College)
Presbyterian College (2018-20): Recorded five career top 10 finishes … As a Sophomore (2019-20): Played in all six fall tournaments ... Earned four top 10 finishes ... Shot 221 (73-74-74) to tie for 14th at the Golfweek Program Championship ... Led the team with a ninth place finish at the Phoenix Invitational (par 71) by shooting a collegiate-best 216 (71-74-71) ... Tied for 10th at the Starmount Fall Classic with a score of 227 (73-74-80) ... Shot 148 (76-72) at the Winthrop Fall Invitational to tie for a ninth place finish ... Competed in the Blue Hose Match Play event ... Tied for sixth at the Terrier Intercollegiate with a score of 222 (79-71-72) ... Played in one spring tournament ... Led the team with a 49th place tie and score of 223 (76-76-71) at the Kiawah Island Spring Classic … As a Freshman (2018-19): Participated in all four fall events … Shot 226 (75-79-72) to finish 29th in her collegiate debut at the Golfweek Program Championship (par 71) … Posted a score of 247 (87-83-77) at the Pinehurst Challenge to place 85th … Won 5&4 over Gardner-Webb's Lindsay Koppel during Blue Hose Match Play … Finished tied for 13th at the Terrier Intercollegiate with a score of 153 (76-77) ... Played in all five spring tournaments, leading the team once … Shot 227 (76-77-74) at Kiawah Island Intercollegiate to tie for 86th ... Tied for 50th at the Low Country Intercollegiate at 163 (87-76) ... Earned her first top 10 finish with a sixth place tie at the par 71 French Broad Collegiate Invitational after a collegiate-best 149 (74-75) ... Led team with a 17th place tie and a then collegiate-best score of 221 (73-71-77) at the Edisto Island Invitational ... Tied for 26th at the Big South Championship at 236 (75-78-83) … High School: Earned four victories her senior year … Shot 148 (72-76) to win the Callaway Vinter Tour at Mar Menor … Posted a score of 149 (73-76) to win the Ostlandstour at Drobak … Won the stroke play at Srixon Tour at Elverum with a score of 147 (73-74) … Claimed medalist honors at the Ostlandstour at Gamle Fredrikstad with a score of 144 (72-72) … Earned a top 5 finish at the Srixon Tour at Byneset with a score of 222 (74-70-78) … Earned a bronze medal at the Norwegian Junior Championship with a score of 229 (75-76-78) … Represented Norway in the European Team Girls Championship in Finland … Played in six international tournaments in 2016 (South Africa, Austria, Spain, USA and Sweden) … Won the International Trophy hosted by the Norwegian Golf Federation at Oslo Golfklubb (summer 2020) … Finished seventh at the Professional Event Garmin Norgescup 2 finishing one stroke behind current ECU teammate Dorthea Forbrigd (summer 2020) … Current member of the Norwegian National Ladies Team … Personal: Daughter of Lena and Kjetil Hillestad … Has one sibling (Andre) .. Dean's List student … Intended major is communication with a minor in psychology … Mother is a 25-time world champion in sled dog racing … Julie, her father and brother have also won world titles in sled dog racing.

Coach Buford' Comments: "Julie is one of two transfers we have this year. Her game may have been overlooked before beginning her college career. She was not a top ranked recruit out of high school, but when given the chance she established herself as a strong and consistent collegiate player. Julie has multiple top 10 finishes over the last two years and won the International Trophy over the summer. ECU has had a lot of success with Norwegian players and I look forward to Julie carrying on that legacy."

Players Mentioned

Kathryn Carson

Dorthea Forbrigd

Michelle Forsland

Riley Hamilton

Caroline Hermes

Julie Boysen Hillestad

Oda Sofie Kilsti

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