Downey closing on LPGA card

Spencerport graduate Danielle Downey will try to move a step closer to her dream of joining the LPGA Tour when she competes in the final qualifying stage at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach November 30 to December 4.

Downey, who just completed her second season on the LPGA Futures Tour, has earned more than $12,000 in 2005 and was ranked 33rd. Her top finish this year came in the Lima Memorial Hospital Futures Classic in June as she defended her 2004 title there with a second place finish shooting rounds of 68-68-70. She made the cut in all but one event this season - 14 in all - and had four top-20 finishes. Downey also won a NGA Pro Golf Tour event this year in Florida when she defeated Becky Inverson in a playoff.

The LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament is a 90-hole, five-day event, taking place on both the Legends and Champions courses at LPGA International. The first 72 holes are played on both courses, while players play the Legends course during the final round. The cut reduces the field to the low 70 players and ties after 72 holes. The top 30 players and ties from each of the previously held sectional qualifiers advanced to the final stage.

Downey was one of 137 players to compete in the Final Qualifying Tournament in 2004. She shot 76-73-76-77 for a 302 and missed the cut.

More than 240 Futures Tour alumnae are members of the LPGA Tour and have 283 LPGA victories in total. Downey turned pro for the 2004 campaign after competing at Auburn University. While in college, she finished second in the 2002 NCAA Women's Golf Championship and was a 2003 NCAA All-American Honorable Mention.

November 6, 2005