Gebhardt Qualifies For 2011 U.S. Women's Open
May 24, 2011
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Former Oregon State women's golfer Jessi Gebhardt was co-medalist at a 36-hole sectional qualifier in Vancouver, Wash., on Monday and has qualified to play in the 2011 U.S. Women's Open, which will be held July 7-10 at The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Gebhardt, who starred for the Beavers from 2005-08, shot an 8-over 77-75--152 at the Royal Oaks Country Club and tied Christina Proteau to earn the automatic bid to play in the biggest tournament in women's golf. Sue Kim won in a four-hole playoff to earn the third and final spot from Monday's qualifier.
"This is honestly one of the best days of my life!!!" Gebhardt said on her website at jessigebhardt.com. "I am going to the Open! Also, I would like to add that my mom caddied for me today and I want to thank her for all her support."
Gebhardt was a four-time NGSA All-American Scholar and made the Pac-10 All-Academic First Team two times during her career at Oregon State. Her scoring average of 76.65 in 2006-07 is the seventh best in school history and she played the fourth-most competitive rounds by a Beaver with 123.
The 2011 U.S. Women's Open begins on Thursday, July 7 and includes 156 professionals and amateurs playing The Broadmoor East Course designed by Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The first two rounds will be televised on ESPN2 and the third and final rounds will be televised on NBC.
"Jessi has been working very hard on her game and has made it to the final stage of the LPGA Qualifying School the past two years," Oregon State head coach Risë Alexander said. "I am so happy that she will have the opportunity to play against the best players in the world at the U.S. Open. She deserves that we couldn't be more proud of her. I spoke with her at the qualifier and she definitely has the mental toughness and confidence to play at the highest level."
Oregon State sophomore-to-be Lauren Sewell also competed at Monday's qualifier and finished in a tie for 24th with a 17-over 82-79--161.
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