EDMOND, Okla. (Aug. 14, 2019) – Abigail Rigsby had her summer schedule all planned out, and it didn't involve being an Oklahoma golf pioneer. But that's what happened, and she's content with that.

The Oklahoma Christian standout will be the first woman ever to attempt to qualify for the Oklahoma Open when she competes in a 30-person qualifier on Thursday at Oak Tree Country Club's West Course. The top 10 finishers (at least; maybe more) will advance to the main field for the Open, which will be played Aug. 22-24 on Oak Tree's East Course.

"I don't think I've ever been so excited to play in a tournament," said Rigsby, whose matter-of-fact personality belies the fierce competitor within, one who has won three tournaments during her collegiate career and earned All-Heartland Conference honors each season three times.

Rigsby, who's from Courtenay, British Columbia, decided to spend the summer before her senior year in Oklahoma, playing in tournaments and hoping to sharpen her game while facing top-notch amateur foes, some from strong NCAA Division I programs. She checked with the Women's Oklahoma Golf Association, which runs the state's championship events for women, and was told she'd be eligible to play in those events.

But a couple of months after giving Rigsby the thumbs-up to play, the WOGA reversed course and said that its rules allow only Oklahoma residents to compete in its tournaments, including the State Amateur. Rigsby has spent much of the last three years in Oklahoma but officially is from Canada, so she was out of luck.

Suddenly, her carefully planned summer schedule had disintegrated, leaving both Rigsby and her coach, Greg Lynn, scrambling. He and Rigsby contacted women's amateur golf officials in Kansas and Missouri, who welcomed her into their tournaments, which filled some of the gap, but not all.

Lynn came up with an idea: How about playing against men? He contacted Mark Felder, the executive director of the Oklahoma Golf Association, which oversees men's amateur championships in Oklahoma as well as the Oklahoma Open, a professional tournament. Could Rigsby play in the men's State Amateur?

Felder said that wouldn't be an issue, except for timing – the qualifiers for the OGA State Amateur had already been held and the fields were set. So Lynn asked about the Oklahoma Open, and Felder said he'd have no issues with her attempting to qualify. OGA rules specifically grant eligibility to players enrolled at an Oklahoma university, which Rigsby is.

Rather quickly, Felder has become one of Rigsby's biggest fans. He confirmed that no woman ever has attempted to qualify for the Open.

"I'm all in if they want to come and tee it up," Felder said. "I hope she makes it. It makes for a fun story line. I think she's got a good chance to qualify. It's easier to qualify for the Oklahoma Open than it is for the State Amateur."

The first question most folks ask if is Rigsby will be able to handle the added distance on the course, as she'll have to play from the championship tees, which stretch the course to about 6,700 yards, considerably longer than any she's ever played in a competitive event.

That's an easy answer. Despite her 5-foot-5 frame, she routinely hits drives of 270 yards or more, which would put her among the leaders in that category on the LPGA Tour.

"It's a yardage that I can play from," she said. "That won't be an issue."

Also helpful is the fact she's familiar with both courses at Oak Tree, as OC's squads often practice there. She played a round with Lynn and his son, OC's men's coach David Lynn, last month from the championship tees and shot 3-under-par. Felder said a score like that would easily qualify her for the Open's main draw.

"It's very exciting for Greg and I to see Abi make an attempt to qualify for the Oklahoma Open," David Lynn said. "Abi has tremendous talent and hits the ball far enough to actually qualify for the event. Most importantly, it will give her an opportunity to test herself and grow as a player both mentally and physically. We are thankful the OGA is giving her that opportunity and welcoming her to compete."

She will tee off at 9 a.m., grouped with Christopher Laughlin of Edmond and Navid Majidizadeh of Tulsa, a former Northeastern State player. Rigsby said she won't be bothered playing with men.

"I've done that my whole life," she said. "I played on guys' teams in volleyball and soccer. I grew up playing golf with guys. That is nothing new to me."

In the buildup to the qualifier, Rigsby has been featured in stories that ran in The Oklahoman and on the widely read GolfOklahoma.org website. She's hopeful the publicity, combined with a good showing, will help establish some credibility for her as she tries to move into the professional ranks following her senior season.

"It's going to open up some doors for me," she said. "It could catch the eye of sponsor, which would be a good thing. I am grateful for the opportunity."