There is great news to tee off this week as Lauren Stephenson just qualified for the LPGA Tour this past weekend. 
The former 2-time state champion at Lexington High and top-ranked college golfer at the University of Alabama finished Q-School in Pinehurst, N.C. in a tie for 8th to earn her playing privileges. 
“She will be turning Pro and heading on tour at her first opportunity to play,” commented Charles Stephenson, Lauren’s dad. “I have to call the LPGA to see if I can get a tentative schedule.” 
Stephenson entered the event as an amateur and would have had the option to continue her collegiate eligibility at Alabama after the qualifying school. 
Stephenson is in her senior year at Alabama and only has minimal degree work left to get her diploma. She can finish her last classes online while traveling the LPGA Tour.
The finals for LPGA Tour Qualifying is a grueling eight consecutive round test that this year was conducted at Pinehurst. 
“There are truly no words to describe this feeling,” she tweeted. “A dream come true!”
Stephenson was part of the Lexington Wildcat dynasty that could field yet another LPGA player or several in the near future. Sydney Legacy is chasing her dreams and progressing, so it’s possible she will join Lauren in the future. 
Speaking of high school golf, this week’s focus is on the River Bluff Lady Gators. Know that girls high school golf has been around for a short time and Roger Smith was and still is one of the “foundational advocates” initiating, cultivating and growing high school golf in the Palmetto State. 
Not only did Coach Roger start the Brookland-Cayce High School girls golf program and support numerous others in the area, he founded the River Bluff program. 
“Our team started the season needing to replace our one, three and five players in the lineup,” he said. “We knew one player who was going to step into a varsity role,. but were uncertain on who would be playing in the four and five positions (the competition team is made up of five starters).
Marley Barefoot, Alanna Harper and Lauren Oh cemented themselves into one, two and three and provided stability to the team while other players continued to get better.  Sydney Wilson and Isabella Mckenzie ended up filling four and five and got more consistent in scoring as the season progressed.”  
The team finished 11th at the Class 5A state tournament and there wasn’t another team represented that had to replace 60% of their lineup from last season. 
“After both rounds at state, we were in the 7-11 pack that was within 9 strokes of each other,” Smith said. “Last year, we finished fifth so I was pretty pleased with the finish overall but wish we could have played two consistent rounds at state where we improved by 23 strokes from Day One.”
“Marley Barefoot and Alanna Harper were selected to the North South All Star teams.  Marley Barefoot was Region 5-5A MVP with a round of 69 at Ponderosa in the region tournament.  Marley Barefoot, Alanna Harper, and Lauren Oh made the all region team.”
It’s registration time for the Midlands family golf recreational experience. The Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission’s Winter Youth Golf Tour registration is underway. 
This is a golf recreational youth experience that’s designed primarily for youth to develop golf playing skill on the actual playing field. Parents have a role and can choose from being a caddy, forecaddie, spectator, guide, fan, or all of the above! Parent/Player registration meeting is Dec. 2 at Seven Oaks Park at 3 p.m.  For more information, call (803) 772-3336.