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2005 OP Neport Classic Preview
 It's getting critical on the 'QS. Only one event, the 1-star Op Newport Classic held Sept. 23-25, is left on this year's women's World Qualifying Series (WQS) calendar, leaving those in unenviable circumstances (i.e. the WCT girls in danger of not requalifing and the up-and comers sitting awfully close thanks to their current 'QS results) forced to fight it our for the few spots left. A lot is at stake, yet very few points are on offer.
Basically, the top 10 girls on the World Championship Tour (WCT) automatically requalify, while spots 11 thorough 16 go to the top 6 girls on the World Qualifying Series (WQS). Thing is, there's often girls who make the cut on both tours... so if a girl places in the top 10 on the WCT and requalifies that way, then her qualifying spot on the 'QS gets given to the next girl in line. The ASP then appoints a wildcard for the season bringing the grand total to 17 girls.
Right now, the girls calling it closest are:
Melanie Bartels, who has spent the last 2 years on the WCT and is currently sitting too deep on the 'CT ratings to requalify via that tour unless she does something drastic.
Laurina McGrath, a 'CT rookie this year who has found herself in a situation similar to Bartles'.
Caroline Sarran, a young French girl who would be qualifying for the big leagues for the first time if the decision was made today--unfortunately for her, she's got to wait it out.
Our resident WQS wizard, and tour manager Al Hunt, gives us the current break down on the WCT qualification situation below. Read on.
In the WQS 2006 qualification for the WCT, the last one in now is Caroline Sarran. If Melanie Bartels gets 1st or 2nd in the OP Newport Classic she overtakes Sarran and McGrath making McGrath the 6th WQS qualifier and Caroline out of the running. As long as Rebecca Woods, Mel Redmann-Carr and Jacqueline Silva stay in the WCT Top 10, Sarran will be the last one (assuming Bartels does not get 1st or 2nd in Newport). If one of those girls drops out, McGrath is out unless she or Serena Brooke makes the Top 10 WCT. So still plenty of possibilities.
The following six girls are safe for requalification via the WQS but Woods, Redmann-Carr and Silva do not need their 'QS ratings yet: Rebecca Woods (AUS), Melanie Redmann-Carr (AUS), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Julia Christian (USA), Jaqueline Silva (BRA), Silvana Lima (BRA).
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