Schmidt advances through LPGA Tour First Stage quallifier

Olivia Schmidt of Edmond shot rounds of 67-73-76-69 to finish at 3-under and tied for 51st in the first stage of LPGA Tour and Epson Tour qualifying that concluded Sunday at Rancho Mirage, Calif.

The top 100 and ties advance to the second stage, which will be held Oct. 18-21 at Plantatio Golf & Country Club in Venice, Fla. Complete scores from the first stage qualifier are here.

Schmidt, a graduate of Bishop McGuiness Catholic High School in Oklahoma City, has played four outstanding seasons for Arkansas State. This spring she was named the Sun Belt Conference Women’s Golfer of the Year.

Schmidt became the first player in program history to win conference golfer of the year honors. She adds First Team All-Sun Belt honors, the first such honors for an A-State women’s golfer since Aracelly Jimenez Rios was named Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Sun Belt in 2015-16.

Breaking numerous single-season records this season, Schmidt capped off the historic season by becoming the second player in program history to be an NCAA individual qualifier. At the NCAA Tallahassee Regional, Schmidt posted an even-par 72 in the first round highlighted by a hole-in-one on the par-3 13th hole.

Schmidt set or tied seven single-season records; stroke average (72.75), national scoring rating (52), wins (2), par or better rounds (19), birdies (106), eagles (2) and par four scoring average (4.0367). She posted the top five low 54-hole totals in program history all this season, including two 8-under par totals of 208 for the top spot.