A2 Sports Commission Brings Pro Golf Back to Ann Arbor
Four years after the demise of the Volvik Championship, pro golf returns to Ann Arbor with an LPGA Epson Tour event called “Ann Arbor’s Road to the LPGA powered by the A2 Sports Commission.”
Ann Arbor’s Road To The LPGA powered by the A2 Sports Commission will be held June 16 – 18 at Travis Pointe Country Club, which previously hosted the Volvik.
As an aside, that name is just way too long for marketing comfort. What are they going to use as a nickname? How will they fit that in a compact logo or on a t-shirt or hat? Maybe it will just the the A2 Sports. Or The A2 Road.
I am certain that better marketing minds than mine are on it.
The Epson Tour is the LPGA’s developmental tour, which was formerly sponsored by Symetra. Operating under various names, the LPGA’s minor league circuit now is in its 42nd year.
Epson’s five-year deal includes significant upgrades to the tour’s status. As part of its partnership, the company will ensure minimum purses of $200,000. It also has worked to lower entry fees and will extend $10,000 grants of financial assistance to players “graduating” to the LPGA.
The contract with the A2 Sports Commission and Travis Pointe is for two years. The purse is $200,000.
Travis Pointe is a par 72, playing at 6, 494 for the tournament. For a photo tour and review of Travis Pointe, follow the link.
When the Volvik was in town, attendance was reported to be in the area of 30,000 fans.
The Ann Arbor stop is one of three for the Epson Tour in Michigan. Sweetgrass Golf Club in the Upper Peninsula will host the Island resort championship June 24 – 26. The Battle Creek Country Club will host the Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship July 29 – 31.
Michigan has actually become a bit of a hotbed for women’s golf. In addition to the three Epson Tour events, Michigan also boasts the Meijer LPGA Classic (June 16 – 19) and the DOW Great Lakes Bay Invitational. Nearby Toledo has the Dana Open September 1 – 4.
Looking into the future, Oakland Hills will host the US Women’s Open in 2031 and 2042. Toledo’s Inverness, which in 2021 hosted the Solheim Cup, will host the US Women’s Open in 2027.
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Great news! In 2002 and 2003 the women’s Futures Tour tour played at Lake Forest Golf Course. Lorena Ochoa won the event in 2001, before she played her way on to the LPGA Tour.
Still kicking myself for not going to see that.
Correction – she won in 2002..