Gabriela Ruffels traveled from Orlando, Florida to Mobile, Alabama in November for a scouting mission for LPGA Q-Series. A few minutes from the course, she thought: Had she ever entered the tournament?
Ruffels went to the player portal and found that she hadn’t registered. Nearly one month had passed since the Q-Series deadline, her last chance of qualifying for the LPGA in 2023. Two days had passed since the Epson Tour’s final.
It was, unfortunately, a lonely and long journey home.
Ruffels, a 22-year old promising player who placed 15th on Epson Tour money lists, said that “it was tough”. LPGA cards are awarded to the top 10 players.
“I just called my entire team to let them know what was happening. They were all very sad and disappointed. It was my fault, and I have to be more punctual.
LPGA qualifying’s final stage, which consists of eight rounds that lasts two weeks, will begin on Thursday at Magnolia Grove, Mobile. 45 players will be awarded LPGA status in 2023.
Ruffels’ parents were professional tennis players. She will instead compete in the first ISPS Handa Australian Open. The event will take place over the Victoria and Kingston Heath Golf Clubs. Ruffels was taught how to play the game by Victoria Golf Club. This is her first visit to Melbourne in five years. She will be staying with her friends, who used to live in the same neighborhood as her and she will continue frequenting her favorite restaurants.
The 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion will then travel to Spain to compete at LET Q-School.
Gabriela Ruffels hit her tee shot at the first hole of the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open presented by ProMedica at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Southern Pines, N.C., on Thursday, June 2, 2022. (Photo: Darren Carroll/USGA)
Ruffels is a former PGA Tour winner Grant Waite. He told Ruffels that “… the LPGA would come if they could get over their mistakes and continue working.
Ruffels stated that she was inspired by Maja Stark and Linn Grant’s achievements on the LET this year, pointing to the co-sanctioned majors and events that LET players have the opportunity to play in. Despite not being possible on the Epson Tour there are still 10 LPGA cards at stake each year. She might have other options.
Ruffels, who started playing golf at age 15, said that she feels like she is learning more about the game. Ruffels, a former USC star, rocketed quickly up the amateur rankings but has experienced several speed bumps during her pro career.
Ruffels was unable to advance to Q-Series last year by one stroke at Stage II.
It was paperwork this time that kept her out. Both are terrible.
