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May 29, 2008
MGA Press Release Rachael Schmidt has never played in the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship before, mainly because until fairly recently she was unaware of its existance. She found out about the tournament for the best public course players in the country this spring, when someone at her home course, Elk River Golf Club, suggested that she should try to qualify. On Wednesday, Schmidt made her first attempt at qualifying. It was an impressive debut. Despite some issues with her putter, she shot a 1-over-par 73 and claimed medalist honors by four strokes. That gave her the first of the three available berths in the 2008 USWAPL, which will be played at Erin Hills Golf Club in Erin, Wis., June 14-21. Steffi Neisen got the second spot with a 77. It was the second successful qualifying attempt in barely 24 hours for Neisen, a sophomore from New Prague who on Tuesday had secured a place in this year's state high school tournament. The biggest disappointment for Schmidt was that her twin sister, Rochelle, didn't advance. She shot a 78, which tied for third place, but then lost to Kaytie Spangler of Ely in a one-hole playoff for the last spot. Spangler made a par at No. 10, which was where the playoff started. Schmidt didn't really hit any bad shots, but she ended up with a double bogey 6. After driving a few feet into the left rough, she hit a small branch on a tree dead center, dropped straight down and ended up three-putting. "I thought I could get it (the second shot) over that tree," Rochelle said afterward. "But the rough was pretty long, and the ball didn't go as high as I thought it would. If I'd been smart, I probably would have played it a little farther to the right, away from the tree." As the first alternate, she still has a chance to get into the tournament. If she doesn't, then she'll caddy for Rachael. The second alternate is Leigh Klasse, the 2007 MGA women's player of the year; she labored to get around the front nine in 42, then came back with 37 on the inward nine for a 79. Earlier this month, Rachael Schmidt completed her junior season at Upper Iowa by finishing 15th in the NCAA Division II tournament. She was then named to the National Golf Coaches Association all-American team for the third consecutive year. She won seven times during the 2007-08 college year, including a 19-stroke victory in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championships. Rochelle also plays for Upper Iowa. But even though she lost, it was still a big day for NCAA Division two golfers, because Spangler plays for a DII school, too. She just finished her freshman year at Truman State by finishing 36th at the NCAA DII tournament. U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Qualifying Par 72, 5,752 yards
Final results 1. Rachael Schmidt, Elk River GC (38-35--73) 2. Steffi Neisen, New Prague GC (38-39--77) T3. Kaytie Spangler, Wilderness (40-38--78) First alternate T3. Rochelle Schmidt, Elk River (41-37--78) Second alternate 5. Leigh Klasse, Meadowbrook (42-37--79) Did not qualify T6. Kelli Berns, Southbrook GC (43-37--80) T6. Blair Bonner, Highland Natl. (41-39--80) T6. Casey Danielson, Wisconsin PGA Jr. (39-41--80) T6. Jessica Potter, Monticello GC (38-42--80) T10. Lindsay Danielson, Wisconsin PGA Jr. (43-38--81) T10. Ann Brilley, Baker National (40-41--81) T12. Samantha Sommers, Wapicada GC (40-42--82) T12. Kelly O'Brien, Rush Creek GC (42-40--82) 14. Chelsey Falk, Minnewaska GC (42-41--83) 15. Clare Pobanz, Keller GC (46-44--90) 16. Jennifer Benoy, Wisconsin PGA Jr. (48-47--95) |
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