JODI Ewart became the first North East golfer – male or female – to hold tour cards for both the main European and American circuits at the same time.
Ewart, an honorary life member of the Catterick club – where she enjoyed a dazzling amateur career – won final-stage qualifying for the 2012 Ladies European Tour with an 11-under total of 350 for the five-round tournament at La Manga.
Last month, Ewart followed Newcastle’s Jenny Lee-Smith as the second player in the region’s history to qualify for the LPGA Tour in America.
Lee Smith, who won the first British Women’s Open at Fulford in 1976, left the US tour more than 30 years ago.
The 24-year-old Ewart qualified for the big show of the women’s game on the Champions Course at Daytona Beach at the end of her second year as a professional.
Needing to clinch one of 20 spots on offer in the final stage of American Q-School, she stormed home tied fourth.
Ewart finished two shots clear of the European field after a last-round of par 73 on La Manga’s South Course.
Her qualifying performances suggest the former college star at the University of New Mexico can look forward to a lucrative career – the North Berwick born Cat Mathew, 42, has career prize money from the LPGA tour of almost £4.5m.
Ewart, who lives in Florida, said: “It feels good, fourth on the LPGA and now winning the LET. It is a pretty good off-season if you ask me.
“I am really looking forward to this year. Already holding an LPGA card took the pressure off me for this event. ”
Ellie Givens, the 22-year-old amateur from the Blackwell Grange club in Darlington, and Consett’s Anna Scott are eligible for starts in some of the lesser European events after top 50 finishes.
Givens, the 2007 English girls champion, tied for 41st place on a ten-over total of 371 after a 76.
She was three shots short of the top 30 spot which won have won her a full card.
Starting on the 10th, Givens had dropped three shots by the time she turned and was level par for her closing nine holes.
Scott, 25, who last year had a rib removed after four years of back and shoulder problems caused by Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, signed off with a 79 and was one shot back in a tie for 43rd position.
She endured a torrid opening four holes which brought her two bogeys and two double bogeys.
Sharmila Nicollet came out of a six-woman play-off for the last two spots as the only player from India with full playing rights on the 2012 tour.
After holing a six-foot putt, her smile lit up the venue and the 20-year-old from the south of Bangalore said: “I feel so excited.
“I am so happy. It has been a long two weeks of qualifying stages.”
