Note: This is one of the strongest fields of the season with 28 former Epson Tour winners that have accumulated a combined 50 wins.

Four Winds Invitational

Blackthorn Golf Club

South Bend, Indiana

June 17, 2015

Wednesday Pre-Tournament Notes

SOUTH BEND, Ind., June 17, 2015 - The Epson Tour, Road to the LPGA, heads to South Bend for the 4th annual Four Winds Invitational at Blackthorn Golf Club from June 19-21. First-round play begins at 7:30 a.m. on June 19 with the final-round scheduled for Sunday, June 21. There will be a cut to the top 70 and ties following second-round play on Saturday.

The top 144 up-and-coming professionals will compete for a $150,000 tournament purse, the second largest on Tour. The winner will earn $22,500 and take a significant step up the Volvik Race for the Card money list. The top 10 on the year-end money list earn LPGA Tour membership for 2016.

The Four Winds Invitational is the 11th event of the season and third during a stretch of five events in a row in the Midwest. It is the only event in the state of Indiana.

This is one of the strongest fields of the season with 28 former Epson Tour winners that have accumulated a combined 50 wins.

NATIVE AMERICAN ALEX SCHULTE HOPES TO INSPIRE: Tuesday night’s pro-am party at Four Winds Casino meant a lot to sponsor exemption Alex Schulte, a Native American who is part of the Northern Ute Tribe.

“When I was growing up, my mother talked about Notah Begay and Billy Mills so she would always share stories of what they went through and where they are at now,” said Schulte, whose mom was full blood and her grandfather was the sundance chief. “They were my heroes growing up, I really wanted to be like them and travel around and speak to the youth and inspire them.”

Schulte has made a point to be active in the Native American community in trying to grow the game and inspire.

“Over time, I’ve done a lot of conferences and politicking in Indian Gaming and that is how I’ve developed relationships with council members,” said Schulte. “One thing a lot of people are not aware of is that tribes are saving golf and golf courses. It is amazing what the Potawatomi Bands are doing by working together to host tournaments on the Epson Tour.”

Shulte is motivated by the hardships that her mom went through.

“My mom grew up on a reservation with no electricity and no running water and over the years, my mother always told me to give back to the people, to help our people and move forward as one,” said Schulte. “Going to these conferences has been a blessing because I’ve been able to meet such strong people in Indian country.”

“I truly believe in trying to inspire our young boys and girls to take up the game of golf and try to get college scholarships,” continued Schulte. “If you don’t turn professional, you still come out with a degree and I think that is a win.”

Two years after making the commitment to play at the University of Arkansas, Schulte’s mom passed away from Non-Hodgskin’s Lymphoma.

“I’ve gone through some struggles in my life and I belief you should never close the door on the past,” said Schulte. “It’s amazing to be out here competing against girls from all over the world.”

She tees off in the first-round of the Four Winds Invitational on Friday at 2:10 p.m. from the tenth tee.

LINDY DUNCAN EXCITED FOR THE WEEK: Lindy Duncan (Jupiter, Florida) is playing well entering the Four Winds Invitational. In the last two official events, she finished in a tie for second at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship and fourth at the Epson Classic. She now ranks 11th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list, just $547 outside the top 10.

“I have good memories of playing well on this golf course just last year,” said Duncan, who finished in a tie for fifth. “I feel like I’ve improved as a player and hopefully I can play the course smart and do well again.”

Duncan said that Blackthorn Golf Club presents a lot of risk and a lot of reward, which is perfect for the players.

“Every hole is different, it is beautiful scenery and the course is in great shape,” said Duncan. “The greens are fast and it is very challenging, there is a lot of risk and reward holes.”

Duncan has three top 10 finishes this season and 12 in just 36 career events.

QUICK NOTES: Sara-Maude Juneau may have some local fans following her this week. Her caddie is Justin Holt, the son of Notre Dame golf coach Susan Holt. Juneau is staying with assistant coach Kyle Lynne Demeter...Former Notre Dame golfer Becca Huffer is also staying this week with Demeter...Martinsville, Indiana native Carleigh Silvers is from the same hometown as John Wooden. Her high school gymnasium is the John R. Wooden Gymnasium...Brooke Henderson moved up 19 spots in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and enters the Four Winds Invitational at No. 51 in the world...Nobody on Tour has won multiple events this season.

JUNIOR CLINIC AT BLACKTHORN: Children from the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians participated in a junior clinic at Blackthorn Golf Club on Wednesday.

Epson Tour professionals Alex Schulte, Tracy Stanford, Haley Italia, Emily Collins and Portland Rosen

talked to the children about life, education and golf and also taught simple golf technique.

TEE MARKERS PAINTED AT MEMORIAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL: The tee markers used on all 18 holes this week at Blackthorn Golf Club, are rocks painted by children at Memorial Children’s Hospital.

On Wednesday, Epson Tour professionals visited Memorial Children’s Hospital and helped the children paint the rest of the rocks.

“It was eye opening to see the NICU and the PICU, I have so much respect for the nurses that work tirelessly,” said Epson Tour professional Caroline Powers. “We had a blast painting and playing basketball with the kids. It is such a joy to see first hand where the money the tournament raises goes and the impact it has on families.”

“Being able to visit a children’s hospital is an experience that is so eye opening because you see what some kids go through everyday,” said professional Carly Werwie. “I really enjoyed being able to make a part of their day different and fun. I hope the kids were able to feel like they weren’t in a hospital while we painted rocks for the tournament tee markers and played basketball.”

Four Winds Invitational Pre-tournament News and Notes

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