LPGA Q-School qualifying postponed after Hurricane Milton affects golf course
The 2024 LPGA Q-School was scheduled to begin on October 13 at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida. Due to the passage of Hurricane Milton, the LPGA Tour decided to postpone the event and announced the new date this Friday, October 11.
The LPGA Tour posted on its X account (formerly Twitter) that the Q-School has been rescheduled for October 22-25. The new date was set in "close coordination" with the venue:
"Following an assessment of the course and in close coordination with Plantation Golf and Country Club, the Qualifying Stage of LPGA Q-Series has been rescheduled for October 20 - 25, 2024."
"The safety of athletes, caddies, staff, volunteers, and the local community continues to be our top priority. Our thoughts remain with the entire Florida community as we further assess the impacts of Hurricane Milton."
Hurricane Milton struck Florida on October 9 with sustained winds of 120 MPH. The storm affected many golf courses, including the Plantation Golf and Country Club.
There are many photos and videos circulating on social media of the damage reported in Venice, where the Plantation Golf and Country Club is located. The images show large ocean inlets, flooding and numerous collapsed buildings.
2024 LPGA Q-School field at a glance
The LPGA Q-School is currently in the second of three phases. The first was the Pre-Qualifier, which took place in August at Mission Hills Country Club and Indian Wells Golf Course in Rancho Mirage, California.
This second stage, known as the 'Qualifier' (Plantation Golf and Country Club), will be followed by a decisive stage, the 'Final Qualifier,' which will take place from 5 to 9 December at Magnolia Grove Golf Club in Alabama.
The second stage will feature 100 players who qualified at the pre-qualifying tournament. The LPGA Tour has not yet announced how many players will qualify for the final stage.
Notable among the qualified players is Ashley Menne, who won the pre-qualifying tournament with a score of 16 under. Menne is a recent graduate of Arizona State University, where she finished a successful collegiate golf career that saw her named an All-American during her four seasons.
Also in attendance will be 2023 US Women's Amateur champion Megan Schofill and former Clemson University star laureate Annabelle Pancake. The British stars of the last Curtis Cup, Mimi Rhodes and Sarah Byrne will join them.
In 2023, 50 players earned their LPGA Tour card through Q-School. They include Mao Saigo (currently ranked 36th in the world) and Alexandra Forsterling (currently ranked 90th), winner of two Ladies European Tour events in 2024.