LPGA Reaches Different Conclusions on Kiddie Corps Applicants
Friday July 22, 2005
The LPGA has granted a waiver of its 18-and-over age rule to one teen prodigy, but declined the application for the waiver made by another. A third teen golfer still awaits a decision.
LPGA Commissioner Ty Votaw ruled that Morgan Pressel, age 17, can take part in the LPGA Qualifying School in December. Assuming Pressel earns her tour card at Q-School, she would not, however, be allowed to join the tour until her 18th birthday next May.
Meanwhile, the application of 15-year-old Carmen Bandea was rejected by the LPGA, and the application of 17-year-old In-Bee Park is still waiting on Votaw's decision.
Pressel was not happy with Votaw's split decision. While Pressel does get to attend Q-School and attempt to earn her playing card for 2006, Votaw ruled that she would have to wait until her 18th birthday before joining the LPGA Tour.
Pressel's 18th birthday comes in May, 2006, after one-third of that LPGA season will have already passed. She would, however, be able to get into tournaments prior to her 18th birthday by accepting sponsor's exemptions.
This is essentially the same ruling Votaw gave to Paula Creamer last year. The difference is that Creamer's 18th birthday came prior to the start of the LPGA season, while Pressel's, unfortunately for her, will not.
It seems a pretty safe bet that Pressel will make it through Q-School, however, and become a force on the LPGA Tour.
Carmen Bandea is something of a mystery. The 15-year-old from Atlanta has twice attempted to qualify for the men's U.S. Open, without success. There's no doubt she's very talented, but she has no accomplishments with which to make the argument that she belongs, at age 15, on the LPGA.
Aree Song, Michelle Wie and Pressel had all played their way into the U.S. Women's Open by age 13. They had each proved their competitiveness in LPGA Tour events by age 15 (by age 13 for Wie). Bandea has never played an LPGA tournament, and made her first attempt to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open this year (she failed).
Bandea's parents say that she'll turn pro anyway and attempt to play on the men's Hooters Tour. (See this story from the AP.)
In-Bee Park, age 17, has also applied for a waiver of the 18-and-over rule. She, like Pressel, would like to attend LPGA Qualifying School with the hope of joining the LPGA in 2006.
Park's credentials are much, much better than Bandea's, but not quite as good (barely) as Pressel's. Still, Park is a member of what I call the "Dream Teens" of women's golf. She's definitely one of the teens who will be successful on the LPGA for many years to come.
Park has played just a handful of LPGA Tour events, but does have a couple high finishes including a fourth at this year's Takefuji Classic in Las Vegas. She has been a force on the AJGA junior circuit. She won the 2004 U.S. Junior Girls Amateur (and is a finalist this year).
In-Bee won't turn 18 until July of 2006, so it's likely that Votaw's ruling will be the same for her as it was for Pressel: Yes, you can go to Q-School, no you can't join the Tour until your 18th birthday.
LPGA Commissioner Ty Votaw ruled that Morgan Pressel, age 17, can take part in the LPGA Qualifying School in December. Assuming Pressel earns her tour card at Q-School, she would not, however, be allowed to join the tour until her 18th birthday next May.
Meanwhile, the application of 15-year-old Carmen Bandea was rejected by the LPGA, and the application of 17-year-old In-Bee Park is still waiting on Votaw's decision.
Pressel was not happy with Votaw's split decision. While Pressel does get to attend Q-School and attempt to earn her playing card for 2006, Votaw ruled that she would have to wait until her 18th birthday before joining the LPGA Tour.
Pressel's 18th birthday comes in May, 2006, after one-third of that LPGA season will have already passed. She would, however, be able to get into tournaments prior to her 18th birthday by accepting sponsor's exemptions.
This is essentially the same ruling Votaw gave to Paula Creamer last year. The difference is that Creamer's 18th birthday came prior to the start of the LPGA season, while Pressel's, unfortunately for her, will not.
It seems a pretty safe bet that Pressel will make it through Q-School, however, and become a force on the LPGA Tour.
Carmen Bandea is something of a mystery. The 15-year-old from Atlanta has twice attempted to qualify for the men's U.S. Open, without success. There's no doubt she's very talented, but she has no accomplishments with which to make the argument that she belongs, at age 15, on the LPGA.
Aree Song, Michelle Wie and Pressel had all played their way into the U.S. Women's Open by age 13. They had each proved their competitiveness in LPGA Tour events by age 15 (by age 13 for Wie). Bandea has never played an LPGA tournament, and made her first attempt to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open this year (she failed).
Bandea's parents say that she'll turn pro anyway and attempt to play on the men's Hooters Tour. (See this story from the AP.)
In-Bee Park, age 17, has also applied for a waiver of the 18-and-over rule. She, like Pressel, would like to attend LPGA Qualifying School with the hope of joining the LPGA in 2006.
Park's credentials are much, much better than Bandea's, but not quite as good (barely) as Pressel's. Still, Park is a member of what I call the "Dream Teens" of women's golf. She's definitely one of the teens who will be successful on the LPGA for many years to come.
Park has played just a handful of LPGA Tour events, but does have a couple high finishes including a fourth at this year's Takefuji Classic in Las Vegas. She has been a force on the AJGA junior circuit. She won the 2004 U.S. Junior Girls Amateur (and is a finalist this year).
In-Bee won't turn 18 until July of 2006, so it's likely that Votaw's ruling will be the same for her as it was for Pressel: Yes, you can go to Q-School, no you can't join the Tour until your 18th birthday.
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