Former Long Beach State men’s golf players Brett Lederer and Ryan Panichpakdee earned fully exempt status on the Canadian Tour as both individuals finished in the top 10 in the Canadian Tour’s Florida Winter Qualifying School on Thursday.

Lederer (2002-07), finished tied for third with a six-under par 282 (75-69-69-69), while Panichpakdee (class of 2004-06) tied for eighth with a 285 (71-72-72-70).

While at LBSU, Lederer recorded 11 top-10 finishes in his stellar career with a stroke average of 73.28, as he helped the 49ers to a NCAA appearance in 2004. In his last tournament as a 49er, Lederer claimed the individual medalist honors at the 2007 Big West Conference Championships in Rancho Santa Margarita as he won by five strokes with a 12-under 204 (65-70-69).

Panichpakdee closed out his career at The Beach with a stroke average of 73.41 and recorded four top-10 finishes, while claiming the 2006 Big West Championship individual medalist title with a 16-under 200 (68-70-62)

Both players join other LBSU golf alums, John Mallinger (PGA Tour), Paul Goydos (PGA Tour) and Mark O’Meara (Champions Tour) on a professional tour.

“This is an exciting day for the Long Beach State golf program and these two fine players,” said head coach Bill Poutre. “Brett and Ryan’s accomplishments are inspirational to our current players. We wish them the best.”

“You love to see your players do well, so I am very happy for Brett and Ryan,” said former 49er head coach Bob Livingstone. “This speaks to the whole tradition of 49er Golf, and hopefully they will do well on this tour and move up like some of our other alums.”