October 19-25, 2015
“NEVER GIVE UP!” I learned A LOT about staying motivated during this Q-School experience! Going into the fourth and final day, five strokes back and with the tough Panther course ahead of me, I knew I HAD to free myself up to play my game. During my previous week of practices and during the first three days of Q-School, I didn’t feel like myself. My shots were not my usual – I felt like I was getting in my own way.

I approached the last day thinking; no matter how I play, I know I have to find it in myself to play my best. At times during the round, I caught myself thinking ahead or wondering where I was ranked, but, I willed myself to focus on the shot ahead and freed myself up to play my best game. It was truly a tough, mental round/week, but, in the end it’s golf, the game I love, and I am enjoying the experience.

I need to thank many people for this week. Thanks to my Mom for being my travel buddy and constant support both on and off the course. Many thanks to Connie and Mike Lang of Osprey for opening their home to us with generosity and warmth. We are grateful to you and to your sweet Gracie who helped us miss our Deacon a little less.

Mike Kupcho again helped me as my caddy, providing both wise advice and a calming presence. I can’t thank him and his wife enough for coming in from Colorado and for missing their daughter Jennifer’s great fourth place finish on Wake’s team during the Landfall Tradition Tournament this same weekend.

We played on two courses at The Plantation Golf and Country Club – the Bobcat and the Panther. These courses were definitely a lot harder than those we played in Stage I. You can see this clearly when you look at the high scores that these top players posted all week. There were many obstacles and hazards on most holes. The Bobcat course played longer than the Panther. The Panther had small, undulated greens and due to recent reconstruction, they were very firm. The temperatures were warm and the air dry, but, wind gusts were often a factor in our play.

Up ahead, the Final Stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament will be held at LPGA International Golf Course in Daytona Beach, Florida from Wednesday, December 2 through Sunday, December 6. “Players who finish in the top-20 at Final Stage will receive category 12 status on the priority list for the LPGA Tour while players that finish 21 through 45 will receive category 17 status (conditional).“

The Allison and Mike team strikes again!