Dec. 21, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former University of Kentucky women’s golfer Mallory Blackwelder earned Ladies European Tour category eight status Monday after finishing the tour’s Final Qualifying School event with a 1-under-par 291 (73-74-74-70). The qualifier was held Dec. 18-21 at La Manga Club in Murcia, Spain.

“I am elated that Mallory earned an exemption on the Ladies European Tour,” head coach Myra Blackwelder said. “Earning full exempt status on the LET was a primary goal that she set last summer. The LET has 27 events worldwide, and it will be a great experience for Mallory. It is a privilege to play international golf in combination with events on the Duramed FUTURES and LPGA Tours.”

The Versailles, Ky., native entered the final round of the qualifier at 2-over-par. Recording a 3-under-par performance in the final round, Blackwelder finished the event tied for 16th. The top 30 finishers earned category eight status, a full exemption for 2010 LET events.

Turning professional after graduation, Blackwelder also qualified for the 2010 Duramed FUTURES Tour and earned category 20 status for the LPGA Tour. Blackwelder finished the Duramed FUTURES November qualifier held at Lake Region Yacht & Country Club in Winter Haven, Fla., with a 5-under-par 355 (71-74-66-70-74) in a tie for fourth place. Blackwelder received LPGA category 20 status in December after completing Qualifying School with a 4-over-par 364 (74-72-74-72-72) at LPGA International. Combining with her mother, Myra Blackwelder, a 17-year LPGA veteran and current head coach at Kentucky, the Blackwelders are the first mother/daughter duo in tour history.

Blackwelder participated in every event for the Wildcats during 2008-09. She finished the season with a team-low 75.52 stroke average. Blackwelder also led Kentucky to a victory at the UTC Lady Mocs Tournament, taking the event’s individual title with a 77. The Southeastern Conference also named Blackwelder Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in April.