Isabelle (Izzy) Beisiegel of Saint-Hilaire, Que, won the Heather Wilbur Spirit Award on Sunday as the LPGA Futures Tour wrapped up its season.
The honour, named after a Futures player from Moncton who died of leukemia in 2003, is given each year to the developmental circuit's player who exemplifies dedication, courage, perseverance, love of the game and spirit.
The 32-year-old Beisiegel, a former LPGA player, had her career derailed by Graves' disease but is making a comeback. In addition to playing on the Futures this year, she became the first woman in history to earn membership in a men's tour when she won her card at the Canadian Tour's spring qualifying school.
She received the spirit award after playing in the season-ending Price Chopper Tour Championship in Albany, N.Y. She tied for 42nd place.
Sydnee Michaels won the Tour Championship Sunday by a stroke over fellow American Jessi Gebhardt after shooting a five-under 65 in the final round to reach eight-under 206.
Her cheque for $16,800 (U.S.) solidified her third-place standing on the season money list, which was good enough to secure her LPGA playing card for 2012.
"I looked at the card photos of the players who finished in the top 10 last year and I said, 'If they can do it, I can it,"' said Michaels, the Gaelle Truet Rookie of the Year winner. "So, I looked forward to the whole season and being able to hold my card over my head."
The top five earned full-time LPGA status for 2012. Money list leader Kathleen Ekey, Lisa Ferrero, Mo Martin and Jane Rah are the other four headed for the LPGA.
"Dreams really do come true," said Ekey, the tour's Player of the Year winner. "I don't ever remember a time when I didn't want to play on the LPGA Tour."
Sara Maude Juneau (70) of Fossambault, Que., tied for 24th at 1 over par. Sue Kim (71) of Langley, B.C., tied for 39th at 2 over.
Hamilton's Ashley Sholer (72) was tied with Beisiegel at 4 over while Danielle Mills (76) of Pointe-Claire, Que., tied for 75th at 10 over.
Files from the Associated Press were used in this report