Spencerport's Downey 18th on LPGA Futures money list

After missing four of the first five cuts of her first professional year on the LPGA Futures Tour, Spencerport and Auburn University graduate Danielle Downey picked up her first pro win at the Lima Memorial Hospital Futures Golf Classic in Lima, Ohio in mid-June.

Since then, she hasn't missed a cut and stands 18th on the 2004 money list in winning $15,086 in ten events. In addition to her win in Ohio and the $9,100 purse, Downey finished tied for 4th at the Stratton Mountain Futures Classic to pocket an additional $4,118. Downey also tied for 17th at the GMAC Futures in Avon, Connecticut and last weekend tied for 30th after shooting a 217 at the M&T Bank Loretto Futures Golf Classic held at The Link @ Erie Village in Syracuse.

There are almost 300 golfers on the LPGA Futures Tour, where young hopefuls go to try to earn their LPGA Card. Of those, 131 joined the tour for the first time this season including Downey. Of the top 18 money winners on the 2004 tour, 11 are first year professional players. Downey is currently 12th in Rookie of the Year standings and is one of just six rookies to win a tournament this season.

The 2004 tour has five stops remaining including the City of Albany Futures Golf Classic August 13-15 in Albany, NY and the final tournament in York, Pennsylvania the last weekend of August.