ATLANTA - Georgia State women's golf is not the end of the line for many who have donned the blue and white and called themselves a Panther. Georgia State has served as a stepping stone towards the dream of becoming a professional for numerous golfers who spent their collegiate careers in Downtown Atlanta.
Former Georgia State golfers Anna Scott and Sam White have made this dream a reality by playing professionally on the Duramed Futures Tour, a developmental tour that can lead to placement on the LPGA. With successful seasons on the Duramed Futures Tour, both Scott and White could find themselves in the company of some of the best female golfers in the world as a member of the acclaimed LPGA.
Along with the LPGA, the ultimate goal of many golfers is to earn a spot on the Ladies LPGA European Tour. Former Panthers Joanna Klatten (France), Annika Korkeila (Finland), Cathrine Madsen (Denmark) and Iliska Verwey (South Africa) are all pursuing that opportunity as the four ladies took the first step by competing in the 2010 Ladies European Tour Q School Pre Qualifying Tournament. The tournament was played at the La Manga Club in Murcia, Spain from Nov. 29-Dec. 2.
Of the 160 golfers in the field, only 93 would make the cut for the Final Stage Q School Tournament. Three of the four golfers from Georgia State qualified for the final tournament. With a second-place finish, Klatten easily qualified at 3-under par after four rounds. Madsen and Verwey also advanced effortlessly finishing with a share of 11th place and 18th place, respectively.
The Final Stage Q School Tournament took place Dec. 15-19 at the same venue as the pre-qualifying tournament. At the end of the five rounds, the top 30 players would earn their Ladies European Tour Card and those from 31st to 55th place would receive partial status on the tour.
With a final score of 4-over par, Klatten landed a ninth-place finish and status as a member of the 2011 Ladies European Tour. Despite impressive rounds from Madsen and Verwey, the pair did not make the cut but will continue to work towards a professional career.
To keep up with news on Klatten and follow her on the Ladies LPGA European tour, visit www.ladieseuropeantour.com. Current news about Scott and White's progress on the Duramed Futures Tour can be found at www.lpgafuturestour.com.
The current Georgia State women's golf team will kick-off its spring schedule Feb. 13-15 as the Panthers travel south to Orlando, Fla. to compete in the UCF Challenge.
