The second week of the Lalla Aicha Q-School is upon us after the conclusion of the Pre-Qualifier Marrakech a few days ago.
This week sees the Final Stage of the Qualifying School for 2024 taking place in Morocco with two courses hosting the tournament from 16-20 December.
Last year Germany’s Alexandra Försterling was a co-medallist at Final Stage and went on to win twice on the LET in 2023, while 2023 Race to Costa del Sol champion Trichat Cheenglab also came through Q-School finishing in fifth place.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of this week’s Final Stage…
THE COURSES
The Royal Golf Marrakech – the favourite of the late His Majesty King Hassan II, the Royal Golf Marrakech is the second oldest course in the Kingdom of Morocco. Some holes are legendary and full of history. Its exceptional vegetation provides a unique setting. Designed by Gustave Golias and Arnaud Massy, it opened to the first players in 1927 with four holes. In 1928, Gustave Golias, golf champion and personal professor of the Pacha of Marrakech, completed the construction of the 9 first holes. In 1933, Golias and the famous Arnaud Massy, the first international player to win the British Open, in 1907, remodelled the course. The Royal Golf Marrakech has 27 holes. The New Course, a nine-hole par-36 course, opened in 2007.
Al Maaden Golf Marrakech – an 18-hole championship course that spans 72 hectares, with a par 72 and a total length of 6,569 meters (7,184 yards). It bears the signature of the famous architect Kyle Phillips who has blended a Moroccan and Scottish touch. At the heart of a hilly natural area, facing the summits of the Atlas Mountains, this course with varied design is suitable for all levels: with overhanging tees, water hazards, greens varied in height, highlighted by typical vegetation: palm trees, cypresses and almond trees. Al Maaden Golf is a real strategic challenge for the players while remaining affordable and fun. The clubhouse is surrounded by contemporary sunny terraces with superb views of the golf and mountains.
WHO IS PLAYING
A field of 151 players from 41 nations will compete in the Final Stage. This includes:
- LET Members ranked in the top 135 Race to Costa del Sol
- LETAS Members ranked seven to 21 on the Order of Merit
- Leading player from each LETAS recognised tour
- Amateurs ranked within the top 25 on the 2023 Women’s Amateur Golf Ranking
- Top five players who enter from top 100 and ties of the 2023 LPGA Points List
- Top two players who enter from top 35 of the 2023 Epson Tour Ranking
- Top two players enter from top 200 on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings
- Players who qualified at the Pre-Qualifier Asia and Pre-Qualifier Marrakech
COMPETITION FORMAT
90 holes of stroke-play competition with a cut after 72 holes with top 65 and ties progressing to the final day. For the first four rounds, competitors will alternate between Royal Golf Marrakech and Al Maaden Golf Marrakech. The fifth round will be played on Al Maaden Golf Marrakech.
WHAT THE PLAYERS RECEIVE
The prize fund for the Final Qualifier is €10,000 and will be distributed to the top five competitors (provided they are professional players) as followers:
- 1st place: €5,000
- 2nd place: €2,500
- 3rd place: €1,250
- 4th place: €750
- 5th place: €500
In the event that any of the above placings are tied, the prize money for the tied places will be aggregated and shared between the tied players.
Status received upon successful completion:
- Category 12: Qualifying-School Top 20 – Players finishing Nos. 1-20 (and ties)
- Category 16: #21-50 Qualifying-School – Players finishing Nos. 21-50 (and ties)
- Category 19: Remaining Final Qualifiers – Players finishing outside the Top 50 and ties
Any players who make the cut but finish outside the Top 50 and ties will be eligible for Let Membership in Category 19. Players who fail to make the cut after 72 holes will be eligible for LET Membership in Category 19. In all categories players will be ranked in final score order.
COURSE SETUP
Royal Golf De Marrakech: 36-36–72; 6,268 yards/5,730 metres (subject to change)
Al Maaden Golf Marrakech: 36-37–73; 6,629 yards/6,060 metres (subject to change)
TOURNAMENT ENTRIES
DRAW
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow all the action on @LETGolf and @letaccess on Instagram and Twitter and Ladies European Tour on Facebook – #RaiseOurGame #LETQSchool.
