Six Epson Tour athletes and University of Alabama alumni have a unique advantage this week, teeing it up on their alma mater’s home course in Tuscaloosa, Ala. at Ol’ Colony Golf Course.

Only playing near a few college towns this season, it’s a perspective that few athletes will get to experience in 2024. But Lauren Stephenson, who recently clinched her LPGA Tour card for the 2025 LPGA Tour season, is loving being back on a familiar course.

Although the 27-year-old has plenty of experience at Ol’ Colony, it’s been quite some time since she has played it last.

“I haven’t been here in six years, but it feels like I never left,” said Stephenson. “It’s like going back in time. Nothing has changed. I’m excited because I’ll get to tour the new facility the girls have, but going back to the old one and being able to practice here this week has been pretty fun.”

Stephenson’s time with the Crimson Tide set her up for success on the LPGA Tour. Before making her professional debut, the South Carolina native was named two-time First Team All-SEC (2016-2017, 2017-2018), and holds the record for lowest 54-hole versus par at 10-under. After her junior season ended in 2018, Stephenson teed it up at LPGA Q-Series, earning LPGA Tour status with a T8 finish at the Final Qualifying stage and making her rookie debut in 2019.

The Texas resident has earned five career top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour and finally picked up her first professional win at the Epson Tour’s Twin Bridges Championship this past July. Despite having status on both the Epson and LPGA Tours in 2024, Stephenson has mainly played on the LPGA’s Official Qualifying Tour and saw it pay off when she secured her status for 2025, guaranteeing a return to the LPGA Tour full-time next year.

With three events remaining on the Epson Tour schedule, Stephenson is focused on the No. 1 spot in the Race for the Card. She is currently No. 2 and only 85.233 points behind the current leader, Yahui Zhang.

Stephenson opened with a 1-under 71 on Thursday in pursuit of another good finish and the 86 points she needs to overtake the top spot in the Race for the Card. The solid start has put her on a good track to take advantage of Moving Day at Ol’ Colony, which she’ll do with her husband, another University of Alabama alum, cheering her on outside of the ropes, support that has been special for Stephenson to have considering how close the pair are to where they went to college.

“My husband went to Alabama too, so I’m excited to be here with him,” said Stephenson. “We didn’t know each other in school because we crossed at different times, so it’s fun to be back here and reminisce.”

Lauren Stephenson Returns to Alma Mater After Clinching LPGA Tour Card

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