Satarak finishes third in LPGA Q School

VENICE, Fla. -- Walailak Satarak, the Big West Conference Player

of the Year who led the UC Irvine women’s golf team to a conference

championship in its first year, finished third at 1-under par in the

LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament Friday.

Satarak, who turned pro recently with the intent to bring

financial support for her mother who is in bad health, led after

three of the four rounds. Satarak tied with Iben Tinning of Denmark

and since she finished in the top 30, she advanced to the LPGA

Qualifying Tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla, Oct. 8-11.

Satarak, originally from Thailand, entered the final round with

the lead at 5-under, while Young Kim of Korea and Tinning were three

shots back. Kim, who turned professional in 1998, shot even par in

the final round to grab the lone second spot.

Isabelle Beisiegel of Canada won the tournament.

Satarak’s scores in the four rounds were 71-71-69-76, on the

Plantation Golf Club Bobcat and Panther courses, while Beisiegel

carded 72-76-68-69.