April 30th-May 6, 2018, Volunteers of America (VoA) LPGA Texas Classic will showcase some of the best and brightest female golfers from across the globe. But, on March 26th, it’s also giving three female high school and college players the chance to compete for three exemption spots in the tournament—and earn an opportunity to compete with the pros.

The qualifier, like the Tournament, will be held at Old American Golf Club in The Colony, Texas, a northern suburb of Dallas. The course, located on the shores of Lake Lewisville, plays homage to the “Golden Age of Golf Architecture,” and combines elements from courses like Shinnecock Hills, Pinehurst and Prairie Dunes. Although this Tripp Davis-Justin Leonard creation has played host to the Texas Women’s Open, the NTPGA Professional Championship and a U.S. Open qualifier, the North Dallas Classic will be the first elite professional tournament hosted at Old American.

To qualify, players must be a female high school or college student with a verifiable handicap of 2.0 or less. Players must submit a biography including their personal golf history such as tournament finishes, rankings and notable golf accolades.

Last year’s winner, Haru Nomura, tees of at the tenth hole during the final round of the Volunteers of America North Texas Shootout. Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images

The Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic Amateur Selection Committee will then select 100 females with additional alternates to compete for the three exemption spots into the Tournament. The first, second and third place finishers will fill those exemption spots. Applications and bios must be submitted to Kristy.Nutt@octagon.com by 5:00 p.m. CST Friday, March 2. Players selected will be notified on Monday, March 5 by 5:00 p.m. CST. Application forms are available here.

One of last year’s exemptions, former OSU standout Maddie McCrary, turned pro this year—so, it’s clear the opportunity to compete on this level does have a very positive impact on the future of women’s golf.

Will this year’s exemptions end up as tomorrow’s LPGA up-and-comers? We’ll find out in May, and bring you tournament coverage here.