This summer, Erin O’Neil turned into somewhat of an urban legend. No, she did not go in Lawrence lore for some great achievement.

Instead, the Kansas University women’s golf coach has just been darned near impossible to find.

Whether she’s jetting off to Sweden, Switzerland, Florida or Idaho, second-year coach O’Neil has been more than active on the recruiting trail.

KU’s women’s golf coaching job has been a revolving door over the last few years. Nicole Hollingsworth was let go at the end of the 2001-02 season. She was followed by Megan Menzel, who left after a two-year stint to spend more time with her family.

Now, O’Neil is assuring her players, both young and old, that she has no intention of bolting, and that she plans to establish a premier program.

Hence, the escalating amount of frequent-flier miles.

“Me being the third coach some of them have had, it’s hard when someone tells you something and they leave and you don’t get a chance to see if it really works,” O’Neil said. “They’re starting to see I may actually know a few things.”

On thing O’Neil has encouraged is a busy schedule this summer not only for herself, but also her players.

So far, it appears to have paid off.

Junior Amanda Costner followed her sizzling finish to the season, which included Golfer of the Week Honors in April from Golfweek magazine, by qualifying for the U.S. Amateur in Atlanta, Ga.

Moreover, sophomore Annie Giangrosso and seniors Meredith Winkelman and Chelsey Pryor have been steady competitors during the summer months as well.

“I probably hear from five of them once a week, and every time I talk to them, they talk about how fired up they are to come back for the fall,” O’Neil said. “And that’s a good sign.”

Though Costner appears to be the team’s cornerstone, there will be a nice mix of youth and experience with Winkelman, Pryor and fellow senior Tiffany Woods having gained plenty of experience in collegiate competition as sophomores and juniors.

O’Neil believes her team has a shot at the first division in the Big 12 Conference, but first the Jayhawks must avoid stumbling out of the gate. After a busy summer, that might not be a problem.

“I probably planted the seed a little bit, and they’re finally seeing the payoff,” O’Neil said. “They’re doing the work.”