Epson Classic
Raintree Country Club
Charlotte, N.C.
May 21, 2014
Pre-Tournament News & Notes

USO INVOLVMENT AT EPSON CLASSIC: This week’s primary charitable partner for the Epson Classic is the United Service Organizations of North Carolina (USO-NC). As part of the partnership, servicemen and women will be taking part in numerous events throughout the week at Raintree Country Club.

On Wednesday night, uniformed servicemen will be on hand to keep score at the Rock the Putt competition.

Prior to the opening round of the Epson Classic on Thursday morning, members of the Marines, Air Force, Navy and Army will be hitting ceremonial first drives to open the tournament.

On Friday, Epson Tour players and staff are encouraged to wear red in support of RED Friday. RED stands for R-remember, E-everyone, D-deployed.

Saturday, the 18th green will feature a U.S. Flag on the pin and a serviceman tending as the players complete their final rounds.

The United Service Organizations of North Carolina (USO-NC), founded in 1941, is the lead organization charged with supporting military servicemen and women in the state of North Carolina. For more information on the USO-NC please visit - http://uso-nc.org/.

LAURA WEARN THROWS OUT FIRST PITCH IN HOMETOWN: Epson Tour rookie and Charlotte native Laura Wearn got the thrill of throwing out the first pitch prior to last night’s Charlotte Knights’ game against the Norfolk Tide. The Knights are the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

“It was really exciting especially being here in Charlotte,” Wearn said. “It’s really cool. I’ve come and seen other people do it so to get this opportunity is really a neat experience.”

Wearn’s parents, one of her sisters, grandma and six-year-old neighbor were all in attendance to watch the Charlotte Country Day and Furman alum deliver the first pitch.

“I don’t think it was a strike, probably ball one, but maybe next time I’ll get it,” Wearn joked after the pitch.

The Knights rallied for an exciting 4-3 victory in front of a crowd of 9,510 fans at BB&T Ballpark.

KUENY LOOKS TO DEFEND: Laura Kueny is back in Charlotte looking to defend her title at the Epson Classic.

In 2013, Kueny fired a final-round, 1-under, 71 to rally from two-strokes back and capture her first Epson Tour victory.

The Michigan State grad currently ranks 71st on the money list and could use a solid week to climb up the rankings in the Volvik Race For The Card Money List as the Epson Tour season nears its midway point. Kueny’s best finish of 2014 was a tie for 10th at the IOA Golf Classic.

SEVEN PLAYERS VISIT HEMBY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL: Seven members of the Epson Tour – Ashleigh Albrecht, Jennifer Brumbaugh, Samantha Richdale, Elisa Serramia, Dawn Shockley, Kishi Sinha and Cheyenne Woods – took time out of their days on Tuesday to visit the Hemby Children’s Hospital in downtown Charlotte.

The golfers were toured around the facility and interacted with several of the patients bringing smiles to the faces of the kids and athletes alike.

SHORT DRIVE TO THE TOP-5: One of the unique prizes that will be given out at this week’s Epson Classic is a $1,000 cash prize for the player who finished in the Top-5 with the shortest average driving distance for the tournament. The prize, which has been named Short Drive to the Top-5, was generously donated by Bob Mayberry Hyundai.

ROCK THE PUTT TAKES PLACE TONIGHT: 16 members of the Epson Tour will be competing against 16 members of the general public in the second edition of Rock the Putt, a winner-take-all, single-elimination putting contest.

Local party band, Hot Sauce, will be performing while competitors navigate rock-themed obstacles for putting dominance and a $500 cash prize.

The 16 Epson players who will look to take home the title are:

Rebecca Artis
Karlin Beck
Sara Brown
Taylor Collins
Amy Eneroth
Shannon Fish
Laura Gonzalez Escallon
Casey Grice
Olivia Jordan-Higgins
Catherine Matranga
Mary Narsizi
Sadena Parks
Garrett Phillips
Elena Robles
Jackie Stoelting
Maiya Tanaka

Epson Classic Pre-tournament Wednesday News & Notes

Related Articles