Venice, FL - Qualifying Stage II

I cannot believe it's time for Qualifying School again!  It seems like this season has flown by!

This week is Stage II Qualifying for the LPGA Futures Tour.  We're playing in Venice, Florida at Plantation Golf and Country Club.  There are two 18 hole courses, the Bobcat and the Panther.  Q-School is a little different this year.  In the past, there were two separate qualifiers:  one for the Futures Tour and one for the LPGA.  Since the LPGA acquired the Futures Tour, there is now one, three stage qualifier for both tours.  Stage I was held this summer.  It was for any amateur or professional that was not a member of a Rolex ranking tour.  Stage II that is taking place this week is for those who advanced from Stage I as well as professionals that are members of a tour.  It will be a four day event held on both courses with no cut.  The top 70 and ties will advance to the final qualifier that will be held at the end of November.  So there is sort of a double incentive this year.  Play well to gain good status on the Futures Tour and also for the chance to compete for LPGA status.

I arrived in Venice last Wednesday.  I played each course twice, with the exception of yesterday's rain out.  I did manage to get through six holes, and had already played the entire 18 a couple of days before. This morning I got several hours of good practice in before the weather sirens pulled everyone off the course.  I planned to "take the day off" anyway, just getting in some practice and relaxing a little bit before the tournament begins.  It's a good thing too, because I don't think the weather is going to allow for much golf today!  Hopefully, all the severe weather is making its way through today, and the tournament days will be rain free (fingers crossed!).

I am very thankful for this week and this opportunity.  A lot of prayer and practice has gone into this entire season and definitely this week.  I am very blessed and very ready to play!  I feel good about the courses, have been hitting the ball well, and put in a lot of time around the practice green this week.  I am  also thankful for a great caddy.  He's been doing this for a long time, so I'm grateful for his experience and advice.

I am also thankful that the Lord has blessed me with such wonderful parents who have worked so hard to allow me to take advantage of the opportunities that have come my way.  They are incredibly supportive, and I am truly blessed.  He has been kind enough to also provide me with a huge community of supporters from my hometown, across Alabama, and through my travels this year.  Thank you for your encouragement.

I will keep you updated this week via my blog, but you can also follow along by clicking on the link above to the Futures Tour.  From the home page, click the tab that says "Tournaments," and select "Qualifying" below.  You'll find pairings and results on the right side of the page.  I tee off #1 on the Bobcat course tomorrow morning at 8:45 a.m. EST!

Have a great week!