Aug. 15, 2000 Morgantown, W.Va. - Dodie Mazzuca (Santa Cruz, Calif.), heralded as the best player in Washington women's golf history, qualified as an LPGA Tour exempt member for the year 2001 by finishing third on the SBC FUTURES Tour Money List. Heather Zakhar (Coto de Caza, Calif.) was the top money winner, followed by Michelle Ellis (Sydney, Australia) for the exemptions announced at the conclusion of the Betty Puskar FUTURES Golf Classic Aug. 13. This marks the second time in the 20-year history of the SBC FUTURES Tour that its players received automatic exemptions into the LPGA Tour. Mazzuca, who played for the Huskies from 1994-97, came from $193 down heading into the final tournament that would count for the LPGA exemptions. She edged Sue Ertl of Sarasota, Fla., by finishing tied for 10th and earning $1,725. The 25-year-old Mazzuca moved into the third position on the money list by only $173 with $29,183. Mazzuca has 12 top-20 finishes, including her first SBC FUTURES Tour victory, the Capital Region FUTURES Classic. In the last six weeks, she has not finished out of the top-20. "Receiving one of the exemptions is a stepping stone towards the many goals that I have," said Mazzuca. "I feel like I finally achieved one small step in my life. I feel bad for Sue, but she is a great champion and I know she will be out on the LPGA next year." Mazzuca was the first Husky women's golfer to receive first-team all-America honors and compete in three different NCAA Championships. She becomes just the second Washington women's player to earn a tour card. Robin Walton, who graduated in 1978, recently retired after a 20-year career on the LPGA Tour. The SBC FUTURES Tour is the primary women's developmental tour in the world. The Tour is committed to developing the skills and dreams of women golfers, establishing role models for youth and creating the LPGA stars of tomorrow. The SBC FUTURES Tour tournaments are located in a cross-section of American cities where there is significant community participation. This year the Tour features 20 tournaments in 15 states across the United States from March to October with purses totaling over $1.1 million. In addition, the SBC FUTURES Tour supports local charities in each of the tournament cities. Since 1989, FUTURES Tour events have raised more than $1.6 million for charitable organizations. |
