Carter Advances At European Tour Qualifier

It may be her first time to travel to Europe, but former Ole Miss All-American Dori Carter seemed right at home in the first stage of the Ladies European Tour School qualifying event at La Manga Golf Course in Murcia, Spain.

Carter shot a 76-73-70-78—297 to tie for 22nd place and secure a spot in the final stage of the LET qualifying event.

If she can finish in the top-35 in the final stage at La Manga next week, Carter will gain full status on the European Tour.

Already a member of the LPGA Tour in the United States, the Valdosta, Ga., native is hoping to supplement her schedule in the States with events across the Atlantic.

For Carter, playing in Europe also brings out a special sense of pride in representing her country.

“Another thing about playing in Europe is that I no longer reside/represent Valdosta, Georgia,” Carter said. “I am announced as Dori Carter from the United States.”

It hasn’t been all business in Europe for the former Rebel, though. Carter has taken time to do some sight-seeing in Spain when she is not on the golf course.

“I have had a great time in Spain so far,” said Carter. “On my way to Murcia, I was able to spend an afternoon in Madrid. What an amazing city! I made my way to Puerta del Sol (downtown) and wandered around. I ate lunch at the Mercado de San Miguel, which is an indoor market with fresh everything.”

Marathon Ends In Jubilation For Carter

Former Ole Miss All-American Dori Carter shot a 74 in the first round of LPGA Q-School at the Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Wednesday. While disappointed with how she finished the first round—bogey, bogey—Carter looked at the big picture.

"The good news (she wrote in an email), this is a marathon, not a sprint. I have four more rounds to play."

And play she did. She finished the five-day marathon of golf at 3-under 357, good enough to earn a tie for fourth place and safely secure her LPGA Tour card for the second consecutive year. Afterwards, she was jubilant and relieved at the same time.

“It’s the best feeling in the whole wide world, just knowing that it’s done, I hope I never have to come back here,” Carter said.

Next up for Carter is a trip overseas to Europe. She and several other qualifiers are headed to Spain in January for Ladies European Tour Qualifying School. Carter hopes to gain full status there to supplement her schedule in the States.

“I’m excited, I’ve never been to Europe before,” she said. “This will be a new experience for me and hopefully it will be a good one.”

Dori Carter Comes Full Circle

Former Rebel All-American Dori Carter is back in Daytona Beach, Fla., this week competing in LPGA Q-School. Lisa D. Mickey, senior writer with the LPGA, caught up with the Georgia native to talk about her first year on the tour. Click here to read the story.