RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — With the Epson Tour enjoying an off week and the LPGA Tour in Scotland for the AIG Women’s Open, the remainder of eyes in the women’s golf world shift to the Golden State for Stage I of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament from Aug. 19-22.
A field of 339 players is set to compete on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course and Pete Dye Resort Course at Mission Hills Country Club, as well as Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club just three miles down the road in Palm Desert.
Action begins at 7:00 a.m. PDT all four days and the rotation of Dinah Shore-Pete Dye-Shadow Ridge is set for the first three rounds. Meanwhile, the final round will be played on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course.
“I am very much looking forward to this week at Q-School. I am very confident with my play leading up to this and can’t wait to get back out there. I’m happy with where my mental game is at and how I have been walking the courses in my past few events,” said Gabrielle Shipley (Hastings, Michigan). “Finishing in a tie for 13th at the Epson Tour’s FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship really showed me that my game can hang at that level and was a huge boost of confidence. I’m going to stick to my gameplan, stay patient, confident and just play my own game.”
The top-95 players and ties will advance to Stage II from Oct. 21-24 in Venice, Fla., on the Panther Course and Bobcat Course at Plantation Golf and Country Club."
COUNTRIES (AND STATES) OF STAGE I
A total of 43 countries are represented this week at Stage I of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament, led by the United States with 176 players then followed by Canada having the next highest of 20 competitors.
“It’s a bit of a complicated time for everyone and I’m just glad that this week is finally going ahead. To be able to represent my country, my state of New South Wales and my club [Avondale Golf Club] is special and what I’ve looked forward to,” said Grace Kim (Sydney, Australia), the 2021 Australian Women’s Amateur Championship winner. “Sydney isn’t doing that well with COVID spiking again, so everyone is basically stuck at home. I hope I can bring a bit of joy, excitement and entertainment into their days by having a nice, solid week at Q-School.”
Individuals from 36 different states are also set to tee it up in Coachella Valley. A total of 25 players hail from the host state, while Texas boasts the most representatives with 29.
“Playing in my first Epson Tour event right before going to Stage I could not have come at a better time. I went into it looking to gain some experience and see what the girls at the next level do, or I can improve on, even what we do the same. I came out of the week feeling so motivated and positive that is what’s waiting for me at the next level,” said Hannah Gregg (Auburn, California). “I moved to Phoenix last December and I don’t get back to California much, so anytime I get to go back is a treat for me. Even though I am not from the Palm Springs area, I have been there a lot growing up and playing in various tournaments so just knowing the area and having that little bit of extra comfort of being in my home state is definitely a positive.”
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