LPGA’s Epson Tour Returns To Sweetgrass In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
For the thirteenth year, Island Resort and Casino in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will host the LPGA’s Epson Tour at its highly rated Sweetgrass course.
The championship on June 21 – 23 features 144 professional golfers in the LPGA’s developmental tour.
Island Resort and Casino is located 15 minutes from Escanaba. I’ve been there a couple of times and have played both Sweetgrass, and its sister course, Sage Run. A couple of other excellent courses, Greywalls and Timberstone are a short drive away. It’s an excellent place to serve as a “base of operations” for an Upper Peninsula golf trip.
All of those are in the conversation for top twenty courses in Michigan. Sweetgrass is in my top ten.
The resort has 450 guest rooms, an RV park, a pool with a waterpark, a spa, and multiple dining options. And, of course, it has slots, poker, gaming tables of various kinds and Sportsbooks.
I’m not a gambler, so I can’t speak to those. I imagine they’re good, though.
The resort is a project of the Hannahville Indian Community. The course is named after one of the four sacred medicines: Sweetgrass, Tobacco, Cedar and Sage.
The other course at the Island Resort is, appropriately, named Sage Run. It’s also very good.
This year’s purse is $225,000, with the winner taking home $33, 750 and a tribal honor quilt handmade by an elder of the Hannahville Indian Community.
The Epson Tour is in its 44th season. In 2024, it features 20 events with $5 million in prize money. More than 600 of its alumna have moved on to the LPGA, where they have won 480 titles.
It’s a good place to see up and coming talent. The LPGA is on a roll these days.
The full press release from the tournament follows:
The Epson Tour Returns to Sweetgrass for 13th Year
Island Resort Championship to be played at Sweetgrass from June 21-23
HARRIS, MICHIGAN –The excitement is building as the Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass approaches, set to take place from June 21-23, 2024. Hosted by Island Resort & Casino, this highly anticipated event has solidified its reputation as one of the premier professional golf tournaments in the upper Midwest, drawing 144 professional women golfers to compete at the renowned Sweetgrass Golf Club.
As part of the Epson Tour – known as the “Road to the LPGA,” this tournament serves as a pivotal stage for players aspiring to join the ranks of the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, promising thrilling competition and showcasing the talent of top female golfers. These athletes will be competing for prize money totaling $225,000 at the event, now in its 13th year.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to see up-and-coming pro golfers with the potential to be on the LPGA tour in the next few years,” said Tony Mancilla, General Manager of Island Resort & Casino and Tournament Director. “Over the past decade, the Epson Tour has grown substantially, and we are excited to be a part of it. The athletes’ abilities have improved and today the tour offers bigger purses. Not to mention the higher quality venues participating in the tour,” Mancilla added.
The winner of the Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass will take home a trophy, a tribal honor quilt handmade by an elder of the Hannahville Indian Community, and a check for $33,750. In 2023, the winner was Tsai Ching Tseng (Tainan City, Chinese Taipei). The Island Resort Championship was her first career win, in the same year she turned professional. Tseng hopes to defend her title this year but knows how she prepares is key.
“Definitely mentally. I think because I know there’s great players out here, so to be able to beat them just means a lot,” said Tseng. “I remember so many people were out there and cheering for us. I can’t wait to be back.”
The Epson Tour is the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA, where players earn LPGA Tour Membership through the Epson Tour’s Race for the Card. From 1999-2002, LPGA Tour cards were awarded to the top 3 individuals on the season’s money list. Beginning in 2024, 15 LPGA cards will be distributed to top points earners over the 20-event season. Each regular season event offers the winner 500 points, and the Epson Tour Championship in Indian Wells, CA offers 650 points as the season finale.
Since the inaugural year, 192 players have graduated from the Epson Tour and advanced to the LPGA Tour. Mancilla noted that most of the Island Resort Championship winners have gone on to earn their LPGA card.
Fans are encouraged to bring a chair or utilize the bleachers by the nine and eighteen greens, as well as at the center of the course. They are also welcome to follow golfers as they play their rounds and can get autographs and photos taken with golfers at the end of their rounds. Food and beverages are available on the course, and food costs just $3.
Tickets to the June tournament are $10 for adults and free for 17 and under with an adult. Tickets are on-sale now at local non-profits, with proceeds going to the charities that sell them. A list of participating organizations can be found online at www.IslandResortGolf.com
———————–
Discover more from GolfBlogger Golf Blog
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
