At the first qualifying stage, held in the Palm Springs area, Caligiore recorded a three-day total of 4 over par 220 (76-71-73) at the event, which establishes 2022 playing privileges.

Nearly 350 players competed equally on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, Pete Dye Challenge Course and Shadow Ridge Golf Club.

“The LPGA sets up the courses to play long and difficult, not to mention dealing with 100-degree heat in the desert,” Caligiore said in a statement. “I was proud of myself for fighting for every stroke and showed the ability to recover for par when I missed a green. My short game and putting were the best they’ve ever been.”

The numbers proved her point as Caligiore’s putting totals for the three days were 30, 26 and 26 putts per round, respectively. She attributed her success in the pressure-packed event to increased financial support. This enabled her to enter more competitions prior to the qualifying tournament. In a prep event at Shadow Ridge a week earlier, the former Lake Placid Blue Bomber shot a bogey-free, 3 under par 69.

“Having more tournament play going into the qualifying really got me ready for this level of pressure,” Caligiore said in a statement. “Next year, I will have a great opportunity to play a number of Symetra Tour events, which is run by the LPGA and is the official path to the LPGA.”

Now, however, it’s time for a brief break from the game and a return to her job at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, before ramping up her practice and playing schedules once again.

Caligiore thanked her coach, Nick Adcock, her sponsors and her friends and family for their support.