Spencerport native Danielle Downey made the first step of what she hopes will be her full time job as she played in the 27th Wegmans Rochester LPGA at Locust Hill Country Club June 19 through 20.

The first step because it was her first professional tournament after a four-year career at Auburn University where she earned All-American honors this season and was All-SEC for the third time. She played as one of two amateurs on a sponsorship exemption.

Now it's off to qualifying school in August to try to earn her card and join the LPGA tour full time. "All in all I had a great time out there," said Downey. "My playing partners (21-year pro Laurie Rinker-Graham and 2nd-year pro Hilary Lunke) were fun to play with and the experience was great - it was a great day even though I didn't play well."

"I thought I was okay before I teed off today. Then they announced that I was an All-American, said my name and everyone went crazy. I started getting the shakes after that."

Playing with a heavily bandaged left wrist from what is thought to be tendonitis and with over 100 family and friends in the gallery, Downey was 9-over par in the first round and 8-over in the second round. On Friday, playing the back nine first, she pared the tenth hole before picking up the only birdie of the weekend on the par-5 11th hole. Her second shot fell 15 feet short of the green in the rough. She chipped to within 18 inches and made the putt.

The other highlight of the second round came with a 10-foot par putt in front of the large gallery on the 18th green, which followed a par on the 17th hole.

Playing partner Hilary Lunke is optimistic Downey can make it as a pro on the tour. "I played against her in college while I was at Stanford, so I know she has the game to compete. This week wasn't a fair assessment with her wrist injury. The key when she's healthy is to believe she's good enough. That's what separates the golfers who make it with those who don't out here."

As with most young athletes in every sport, there are surprises. "I wasn't prepared for all of the distractions off the course - people needing tickets, the cell phone ringing - but having all of my family and friends still there on the last hole even after a bad round is what it's all about," Downey commented before agreeing to yet another interview request from Empire TV.

"I'm going to take 4 to 6 weeks off to hopefully heal the wrist and then get back to work. This week has been a new atmosphere and a new environment and something I need to get used to. Hopefully, I'll learn a lot from my mistakes. This is exactly where I want to be. I didn't have a whole lot of expectations (at the LPGA) being hurt and in my hometown and having a lot of commitments, but this is what I want to do and I enjoyed myself."