Total purse increases to $110,000; Walgreens partners to help grow event

SARASOTA, Fla., February 6, 2015 – The Epson Tour, the Road to the LPGA, is excited to announce that the 4th annual Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay Country Club will be played the week of April 20-26 in Sarasota.

The three round event will begin on Friday, April 24 and conclude on Sunday, April 26.

“We are proud to extend our partnership of the Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay with the Epson Tour for the third consecutive year,” said Michael B. Cefole, Senior Vice President, Guardian Retirement Solutions™. “Guardian knows that being the best at what you do takes hard work and a drive to succeed, which we have seen year after year with these outstanding players. Our successful collaboration with the Epson Tour also gives us the opportunity to make a positive impact in the community by supporting The Center for Building Hope in Sarasota.”

For the last three years, the total tournament purse has remained steady at $100,000. In 2015, the purse is increasing to $110,000. Therefore, the winner of the Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay will now earn $16,500.

“Guardian Retirement Solutions has been a great supporter of the Epson Tour and it’s exciting to see their commitment to the tournament and our players with an increase in total purse,” said Chief Business Officer of the Epson Tour, Mike Nichols. “Sara Bay Country Club always presents a great challenge to our players and I’m looking forward to seeing who emerges victorious in April.”

Also new in 2015, Sarasota and Bradenton area Walgreens have partnered with the tournament to help raise money for The Center for Building Hope and Brides and Breast Cancer. Walgreens customers that make a $3 donation to the Center for Building Hope at check out will receive two free tickets to the Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay.

Last year, Marissa Steen won the Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay and went onto win Epson Tour Player of the Year. She led the Volvik Race for the Card money list with $75,348 in money earned. Christine Song won the event in 2013 while Esther Choe hoisted the trophy in 2012.

Guardian Retirement Solutions ambassadors Emily Talley and Selanee Henderson were on hand at the media luncheon at Sara Bay Country Club along with fellow Epson Tour professional Brittany Altomare, Ericka Schneider and Christina Miller.

For more information on the 2015 Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay including pro-am availability, contact tournament director Ryan Ronk at ryan.ronk@lpga.com or call 386-341-2972.

Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay Returns for Fourth Year

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