Murrieta Golfers Headed to LPGA Qualifying Tournament

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - Nearly 350 golfers from around the world will take part in a four-day tournament starting Thursday, with top qualifiers advancing to a final tourney in Florida this fall and possibly a spot in the LPGA.

Through Sunday, young women from 45 countries will face off on three courses at Rancho Mirage's Mission Hills Country Club.

The event is Stage I of a three-stage qualifying tournament that will conclude in Florida in December. Those who advance through all three stages will have a chance to return to Rancho Mirage next year in LPGA's annual ANA Inspiration tournament.

The roster boasts four golfers who took part this summer in the first women's Olympic golf event since 1906: Maha Haddioui from Morocco, Aditi Ashok from India, Tiffany Chan from Hong Kong, and Michelle Koh from Malaysia.

Participating golfers from Riverside County include Megan Heckeroth from La Quinta, Kimmy Hill from Palm Desert, Andi Slane from Temecula, Ashleigh Albrecht from Murrieta, Annie Kim from Murrieta, and Tisha Alyn Abrea from Murrieta.

Golfers will compete in four rounds of play throughout the tournament. The top 130 participants will advance to Sunday's final round and 90 of those will advance to the Stage II tournament in Venice, Florida this October.

All participants who complete 54 holes will receive Symetra Tour status in 2017.

– By City News Service. Image via Shutterstock.