The University of Mississippi Athletics
Former Rebel Dori Carter Earns LPGA Tour Card
12/12/2010 | Women's Golf
Dec. 12, 2010
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Former Ole Miss All-American Dori Carter realized a lifelong dream on Sunday, as she earned her LPGA Tour Card here at the LPGA International, wrapping up a pressure-packed five days of golf.
Carter, a native of Valdosta, Ga., finished in a tie for 12th with a 71-74-70-71-75-361. The top 20 players earned full exempt status on the tour for the 2011 season. Conditions for the final round at the Champions course deteriorated with consistent wind and gusts up to 30 mph, along with rain and temperatures in the mid-50s, but Carter was able to hang on to finish at +1 for the tournament.
"It's a whirlwind of emotions for me right now," said Carter, about an hour after it was official. "This is a unique tournament. Today was a tough day. It was very windy, raining, cold and just miserable for golf. I tried to just take it one shot at a time. I played ok. I wasn't really nervous on the last hole thinking I had to make a putt to get my card.
"On the last hole I tapped in for par, and then I walked off the golf course to see my parents and my swing coach (Gale Peterson). They were so happy for me. I don't think it's sunk in yet. I've never played in an LPGA event, and it's just so exciting. It means a lot that my family and my swing coach could be here. Everything seemed to fall into place for me. It was a good tournament for me."
Carter completed a successful first year as a professional in 2010 on the Duramed Futures Tour, finishing 14th on the money list. That exempted her to the final qualifying site here at Daytona. Carter earned her first professional win in August at the Pennsylvania Classic in Harrisburg, Pa.
"If you would have asked me a year ago did I see myself playing on the LPGA Tour by the next year, I would have said no," Carter added. "There were a lot of things I needed to do to get ready. I thought it would take some time, but because of how I played on the Futures Tour and playing full time, [having to play great golf every week], helped. It was a huge experience. After earning an exemption to the final stage, I do feel ready for the Tour. Hopefully I can play well."
All her former teammates and Ole Miss head coach, Michele Drinkard, kept up with her during the week.
"We are excited for Dori. She dreamed of playing on the LPGA Tour, and now through her hard work she has given herself that opportunity," Drinkard said. "I have no doubt in my mind that Dori will win on the LPGA Tour. She has all the traits of a champion in that she works hard, is very humble, grateful for all the opportunities she has been given and loves to give back every chance she gets. On the inside she is a fiery competitor and wants to win every time she steps out on the golf course. It's going to be a lot of fun having a Rebel on the LPGA Tour, and we are looking forward to seeing Ole Miss on Dori's tour bag too."
One of the most decorated players in the history of Ole Miss women's golf, Carter earned All-America honors in 2008 and 2009. She was also named All-SEC first team both years and helped the Rebels qualify for the NCAA East Regional in 2009. Carter ranks in the top two in Ole Miss history in nearly every category, including the lowest stroke average in a season with a 72.84 in 2008-09.
2010 LPGA QUALIFYING SCHOOL
(Players Earning 2011 LPGA Tour Full Exempt Status)
1. Aree Song 67-72-71-71-73--354
2. Jessica Korda (a) 72-72-66-69-77--356
3. Jimin Jeong 69-69-73-75-71--357
T4. Danah Ford Bordner 72-76-72-70-68--358
T4. Dewi Claire Schreefel 70-74-71-69-74--358
T4. Pornanong Phatlum 72 66 76 70 74--358
T4. Reilley Rankin 67-73-73-70-75--358
T8. Jeehae Lee 71-72-74-70-72--359
T8. Belen Mozo 68-72-72-73-74--359
T10. Angela Oh 70-74-70-72-74--360
T10. Nicole Hage 71-73-69-72-75--360
T12. Pernilla Lindberg 68-77-68-76-72--361
T12. Dori Carter 71-74-70-71-75--361
T14. Kimberly Kim 71-78-70-73-70--362
T14. Stephanie Sherlock 74-74-74-68-72--362
T14. Mollie Fankhauser 70-71-75-73-73--362
T14. Jennie Lee 77-73-70-68-74--362
T14. Christel Boeljon 71-76-71-70-74--362
T14. Sara Brown 72-73-72-71-74--362
T14. Jin Young Pak 72-71-69-71-79--362
