Nov. 6, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Current Kentucky women’s golf team member Sara Hurwitch and 2009 graduate Mallory Blackwelder qualified for the 2010 Duramed FUTURES Tour on Friday at Lake Region Yacht & Country Club in Winter Haven, Fla.
“It’s wonderful the University of Kentucky will have representation on the Duramed FUTURES Tour next year,” head coach Myra Blackwelder said. “We are extremely happy Sara and Mallory have reached the next level of golf. We are trying to tailor our program to help players reach the next step and this is a testament of that work.”
Hurwitch recorded a 373 (74-74-73-75-77) in the 90-hole qualifier. Competing as an amateur, Hurwitch finished tied for 57th. The top 275 finishers gained eligibility to the tour.
Blackwelder finished the event with a 5-under-par 355 (71-74-66-70-74) in a tie for fourth place. Turning professional after graduation, Blackwelder recorded the lowest score of the third round with a 66. Blackwelder also earned a position in the final round of LPGA Qualifying School held in December with a sixth-place finish at the LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., in September.
The event was held Nov. 2-6 at Lake Region Yacht & Country Club, Huntington Hills Golf & Country Club, The Golf Club at Bridgewater and Ridgewood Lakes Golf & Country Club. Each competitor played one round at each course, with the fifth round played at Lake Region Yacht & Country Club.
Hurwitch, a native of Sterling, Va., is in her second season at Kentucky. With a 76.75 scoring average for Fall 2009, Hurwitch recorded her best finish of the season at the Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup. Hurwitch finished the tournament in a tie for 15th with a 225 (71-77-77).
Blackwelder, a native of Versailles, Ky., 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 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in April.
Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for complete coverage of the women’s golf team.
