Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge
Willow Run Golf Course
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
September 1, 2015
Tuesday Pre-Tournament News & Notes

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., September 1, 2015 - The Epson Tour, Road to the LPGA, is just two days away from the first round of the much anticipated Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge at Willow Run Golf Club. The biggest event in Tour history runs from Thursday, September 3 through Sunday, September 6. The top 144 up-and-coming professionals will compete for a $210,000 total tournament purse. The winner will pocket $31,500, the largest winner’s payout in Tour history.

The champion will also likely move into the top 10 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. The top 10 on the year-end money list earn LPGA Tour membership for 2016.

“This event is huge, it basically sets the scene for the final five events of the year after this one,” said Daniela Iacobelli, who ranks fourth on the money list. “This event is important for a lot of people, not just those in the top 10.”

Iacobelli, who won the Tullymore Classic earlier this year, expects this event to change one player’s life.

“It is going to be life changing because most of us have dreamed of playing on the LPGA Tour since we were really young,” said the Melbourne, Florida native. “This event could be the turning point in someone’s career.”

Meanwhile, Omaha, Nebraska native Mary Narzisi took advantage of a few extra practice rounds last week, but doesn’t think her proximity to Sioux Falls gives her much of an edge.

“My family will be out here so that is definitely nice, but we are all playing the same course this week,” said Narzisi. “It is still a huge event.”

Narzisi is currently 65th on the money list with one top 10 finish at the Mission Health Wellness Classic. Although a win this week won’t push her all way into the top, it would put her right on the edge.

“It’s a big event for everyone because of how much you can move on the money list,” said Narzisi. “You can definitely steal your card this week with a good finish. You try not to think about how big this event is and just go out and play golf because 72 holes is a long event for us. You might have to try and hold the lead for two days on the weekend.”

MIKE MALASKA AND EPSON TOUR PROS HOST CLINIC: Renowned teaching professional and partner in GreatLIFE Malaska Golf & Fitness, Mike Malaska, hosted a junior clinic on Tuesday morning at Willow Run for approximately 50 kids.

RE/MAX World Long Drive Champion Mike Dobbyn was on hand to showcase his amazing power and driving distance for kids and Epson Tour professionals. He owns the world record with a 551-yard drive.

After the demonstration from Dobbyn, nine Epson Tour professionals taught the fundamentals of golf in three different stations; putting, chipping and driving.

EPSON TOUR PLAYER’S BROTHER EARNS PGA TOUR CARD: Luciane Lee now has some motivation to achieve her dream. After eight long years of trying and nearly quitting, her brother Lucas earned his PGA TOUR card by finished 23rd on the Web.com Tour final money list.

Luciane currently ranks 72nd on the Volvik Race for the Card money list in her rookie season on Tour.

“He got into the Brazilian Web.com and did well there to get into the Web.com Tour and then he started playing well,” said Luciane after helping with the clinic at Willow Run. “Then, he finished runner-up in two events in a row. He kept trying and trying and he thought about quitting golf because he figured there was something better out there. He said this was his last year and he worked hard and finally got his card.”

The Lee family had to sweat out the last event as Lucas missed the cut, but he still secured his card.

“I think it was more shocking for my parents because they have been supporting him all this time,” said Luciane. “It was a really cool moment for our family and it definitely gave me encouragement.”

So, what advice does Lucas give Luciane now that he has earned his card?

“He just tells me to keep working hard and play like there is no tomorrow,” said Luciane. “The results definitely came for him this year and I’m really proud.”

She jokingly has already made big brother aware that she wants to caddie at one of the PGA TOUR majors.

KIM KAUFMAN - “I’ve played this course 1,000 times, it’s exciting”: Kim Kaufman has taken lessons at Willow Run Golf Club for 18 years. She was on hand Tuesday to practice and held court for the media. The Epson Tour was a career launching pad for Kaufman, who is now playing full time on the LPGA.

“My only two professionals wins are on the Epson Tour and I have a lot of really good memories,” said Kaufman. “It’s where I learned to play week in and week out so it definitely holds a special place for me. I won my third event out on Epson Tour and last year in Los Angeles and you just never know when you are going to win again so you have to cherish them.”

Kaufman expects to be in attendance during the weekend before she boards a flight on Sunday to France for the final LPGA major of the season, The Evian Championship.

“I know how all these girls are feeling right now, they are dying to do well,” said Kaufman. “This is a big week and of course only ten girls will earn an LPGA card. The person that wins this week will likely be playing on the LPGA next year and even playing some major championships.”

Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge Pre-Tournament News & Notes

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