MIRABEL, Quebec - Former Oklahoma City University golfer Ashley Sholer earned an exemption to play in her first LPGA Tour event.

Sholer captured one of five spots available in the CN Canadian Women's Open on Sept. 3-6 at Priddis Greens in Calgary, Alberta, Canada by finishing in a tie for ninth in the CN Canadian Women's Tour event at Hillsdale Golf and Country Club on July 13-15. Sholer would become the first OCU golfer to play an LPGA event since the program began in 2000-01.

Susie Maxwell Berning became the first woman to compete on a golf scholarship at OCU. She turned pro in 1964 and won four major championships on the LPGA - the 1965 Western Open and the U.S. Women's Open in 1968, 1972 and 1973.

From Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Sholer shot 72-77-149 to finish six strokes behind Ashli Bunch at Hillsdale Golf and Country Club. Sholer made her pro debut in the CN Canadian Women's Tour on May 24-26 in North Vancouver, British Columbia, finishing eighth.

"Since I first picked up a golf club, it was always my dream to play professional golf," Sholer told The Hamilton Spectator. "I knew if I could get a sponsor to help me out, it was something that I would definitely do. I got myself a sponsor (Andlauer Transportation Services), so here I am."

Sholer captured the 2006 NAIA individual women's golf championship, tied for third in the NAIA Championships in 2008 and finished as the 2009 individual runner-up. She helped the Stars win four NAIA championships before finishing her eligibility in May - OCU has won the past five national titles.

Also in 2006, Sholer won the Ontario Women's Amateur, advanced to the Round of 16 in the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship and represented Ontario in the Royale Cup.