Three Ferris State Golfers To Compete In Special LPGA Collegiate Invitational

Big Rapids, Mich. - Three members of the Ferris State University women's golf team will have a unique and rare opportunity to compete for a berth in a premier professional tournament on Tuesday (June 23) in Grand Rapids.

FSU's Libby Berens (Zeeland/Holland Christian), Jordan Duvall (Ada/Forest Hills Eastern) and Kelsey McKinley (Muskegon/Mona Shores) will take part in an 18-hole qualifying tournament at Blythefield Country Club with two sponsor exemption spots into the Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft on the line.

Tuesday's Meijer LPGA Collegiate Invitational begins at 9 a.m. (ET) and is open to the public.

A total of nearly 40 competitors from Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Wisconsin, FSU, Grand Valley State, Northwestern and Davenport will play a single round on Tuesday and the two best scores will earn a bid into the LPGA Classic slated for late July.

"We are extremely excited for this opportunity," said FSU head coach Mike Mignano. "This will be a tremendous experience for our three student-athletes representing Ferris State to compete against some of the top collegiate players in the country. All three have West Michigan ties and are familiar with Blythefield Country Club.  

"It should be a fun day for the ladies and the opportunity of a lifetime. We hope that the Meijer LPGA Classic will continue this tradition in the future and give this exposure to future Bulldogs," he added.

Berens will be a senior for the Bulldogs this coming fall while both Duvall and McKinley will be juniors this coming year in eligibility. All three played key roles for the Bulldogs during the recent 2014-15 season.

The Meijer LPGA Classic, regarded as one of the top events on the LPGA Tour, will take place at Blythefield Country Club from July 21-26. The course is a par 72 venue measuring 6,859 yards. A total of 144 LPGA pros will compete in the prestigious tournament in Grand Rapids.

This year's event in late July will represent the second-straight year in which some of golf's top female professionals in the world compete in Grand Rapids. Last year, the crowds exceeded expectations with more than 40,000 spectators attending throughout the week.

Located just north of Grand Rapids, Blythefield has been providing families the best golf and social experience in West Michigan since 1928. With the Rogue River flowing through, Blythefield boasts one of the most beautiful championship layouts in Michigan. Previously, Blythefield has also hosted the 1953 Western Amateur, the 1961 Western Open, won by Arnold Palmer, and the 2005 Western Junior won by Rickie Fowler.

The LPGA is the world's leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 members representing more than 30 different countries.

For more information on the Meijer LPGA Classic, please visit www.meijerlpgaclassic.com.