Thirty-six hours ago, Carley Cox Pruette and Olivia Schmidt were waiting for a phone call.

As alternates for the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, both were hoping to get the news that they earned entry into the field and would be teeing it up at Battle Creek Country Club.

The phone rang early Thursday morning for Schmidt, while Cox Pruette had to wait a while longer, forcing her to make a gutsy decision that would ultimately pay off. Watching her chance to compete become more and more of a reality, the 28-year-old packed a bag and made her way to the airport to fly to Michigan, uncertain of whether she’d be teeing it up on Friday afternoon or turning around and heading back home to China Grove, N.C.

“My status isn't exactly where I want it to be going into this year, so I’ve been on the reserve list, watching it,” said Cox Pruette. “I noticed yesterday that it was getting close, so I decided to throw everything in a suitcase and head out here.”

Having competed on the Epson Tour for five years, Cox Pruette is no stranger to Battle Creek Country Club, even noting it as one of her favorite Tour stops. It was also her first Epson Tour event when she made her debut on the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA in 2020.

With no time for a practice round, the North Carolinian found comfort in her past experience, trusting in her knowledge of this venue, and let that feed into Friday’s game plan.

“Luckily, over the last couple of years, I've played out here before, so I felt like even if I got the call last minute, I was familiar enough with the course to just stick to those lines,” she added.

The familiarity showed on Friday, as Cox Pruette navigated Battle Creek Country Club with ease, carding a bogey-free, 6-under 66, her best 18-hole score since shooting 66 at the Epson Tour Championship in 2023. It was also tied for the low round of the day, putting the Epson Tour veteran in a share of first with Samantha Vodry and Maddie Szeryk.

The key to her low round? No expectations. As cliché as it sounds, Cox Pruette had no other option, leaning heavily on a positive mindset and familiarity with the course. It also helped having a friendly face on the bag to keep things light.

“I can't say enough amazing things about my mom. She's the best,” said Cox Pruette. “She's my best friend and the best companion out there for emotional support and someone to talk to. She knows me as well as anyone, so she keeps me calm. I'm definitely thankful for her out there, for sure.”

Schmidt also found success on Friday, hungry to prove that she belongs on the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA and can compete with some of the best golfers in the world. It was her first start since the 2023 Epson Tour Championship, and she made sure to make a splash with a 5-under, 67.

“I've been itching to get back out (on the Epson Tour), and I just haven't been playing the way I wanted to, but I knew I would maybe get a start from my finish at Q-School, and I got in off the reserve list, and I flew in,” said Schmidt. “But I really am so grateful to be here. Even if I played good or bad, I have such a sense of appreciation.”

When the 25-year-old first competed on the Epson Tour as an amateur in 2023, she only made five cuts in 15 starts, earning a season-best finish of T45 at the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic. Reflecting on that journey, Schmidt now has a new outlook on the Road to the LPGA, which evidently played a part in the shift in her game as well.

“I think in my first year, I took it way for granted,” said Schmidt. “I was like, 'Damn, I'm not on the LPGA Tour, I'm on the Epson Tour.' But when you lose it, you realize how good it is, and what a great tour with amazing people it is. I'm playing with a lot of gratitude this week, and I haven't been able to do that in a long time, so it's a pleasure to be back here.”

Her round consisted of six birdies and one bogey and was good enough to keep her one shot behind the leaders, making for an interesting Moving Day on Saturday. With a “Why can’t I win?” mentality, Schmidt could very well find herself hoisting a trophy come the end of the weekend.

Both Cox Pruette and Schmidt will need to at least make the cut in Battle Creek, Mich., to be reshuffled on the Epson Tour Priority List after the Otter Creek Championship in three weeks’ time. But with a strong start on Friday, they may exceed that goal and find themselves in contention to win.

Schmidt is off Battle Creek Country Club’s first hole at 7:41 a.m. local time for the second round, with Cox Pruette teeing off shortly behind her on the 10th hole at 8:25 a.m. Fans can follow using live scoring HERE.

Carley Cox Pruette and Olivia Schmidt Make Most Out of Opportunities at Battle Creek CC

Related Articles