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Nearly 200 golfers reconvened at Plantation Golf and البلد Club in Venice, Florida, this week, after the second stage of LPGA Q-School experienced a three-week postponement that significantly increased costs for many Tour hopefuls.
Why Did LPGA Q-School Suspend Play This Summer?
The tournament was delayed due to المزيد than 50 inches of heavy summer rainfall compounded by flooding from Hurricane Isaias, rendering the course unplayable. Originally scheduled from أكتوبر 13 to 16, the event was pushed back to نوفمبر 3 to 6 as a result.
This unexpected postponement caused players to incur nonrefundable expenses related to travel, accommodations, and car rentals, with some individual losses reaching up to $9,000. Golfer Gigi Stoll revealed that her total expenditures had already surpassed $10,000, despite the stage offering no prize money.
LPGA Tour Hopefuls Demand Refunds After Delayed Start
In response to the delay, the LPGA provided a nominal $1,000 refund, which many players found insufficient. As a result, participants collaborated on a joint letter requesting refunds as high as $4,500 to offset their financial burdens.
Maria Fassi, the 2019 individual NCAA Champion, emphasized the stakes for players, stating, “They make a lot of money off of Q-School. It’s our livelihoods.”
Despite the disruption and frustration, the qualifying competition resumed with a slightly reduced field of 198 golfers, down from the original 204 entrants.
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