BATTLE CREEK, Mich., July 19, 2016 - The Epson Tour, Road to the LPGA, swings into Battle Creek Country Club for the 3rd annual FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship from July 22-24. First-round play begins on Friday, July 22 and the 54-hole tournament concludes on Sunday, July 24.

The field of 156 players will compete for a $100,000 total tournament purse. The winner will earn $15,000 and move up the Volvik Race for the Card money list. The top 10 on the money list at the end of the year earn LPGA membership for the 2017 season.

Play will begin at 7:30 a.m. all three days of the tournament. Players will tee from the first and tenth tees on Friday and Saturday with a single-tee start scheduled for Sunday. Play on Sunday is expected to conclude at approximately 5:00 p.m. and the trophy ceremony will take place on the 18th green immediately following play.

New this year, the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship will also serve as the United States qualifier for The Evian Championship, the fifth major on the LPGA Tour schedule played in Evian-Les Bains, France from Sept. 15-18. The top two finishers will earn automatic spots into The Evian Championship. If need be, there will be a playoff to determine the final spot.

KRISTY MCPHERSON: ‘IF YOU HAVE ONE GOOD WEEK, MAKE IT BE HERE’
Kristy McPherson (Conway, S.C.) first played in The Evian Championship (then the Evian Masters) in 2009. She finished T40 that year and raved about the experience and the opportunity in front of the Tour this week after finishing her first practice round.

“They treat you awesome over there, they always have a great party and everything is first class,” said McPherson, who has split time this year between the LPGA and the Epson Tour. “I’ve told the girls this week like ‘trust me, I know you haven’t been there, but if you have one good week out here make it be here’ because it is pretty cool over there.”

In addition to 2009, McPherson also played in Evian in 2010 (T53), 2011 (MC), 2012 (MC), 2013 (MC) and 2014 (T54). She was also over there in 2015 when Lydia Ko made history and McPherson said witnessing that was “special”.

“It is one of everybody’s favorite events,” said McPherson, who has 16 career top 10 finishes on the LPGA. “You get to fly into Switzerland and you get to eat pizza and drink wine every night and you don’t feel bad about. It’s a tough golf course, you play on the side of a mountain, but it is definitely one of the premier events because it offers a huge purse.”

The purse this year is $3.25 million.

McPherson recalled several memories from her time in Evian including playing with 2014 winner Hyo Joo Kim in the first-round when she carded a 61, the lowest round in major championship history.

“That was a special memory and I recall that I had a good score that day too but she just lapped me,” said McPherson. “It’s just a great week, you are right there on the water with the most beautiful views you will ever see.”

OLYMPIAN IN THE FIELD
Stephanie Meadow (Ireland) was announced as an Olympian on Tuesday. She has qualified and will compete in Rio from August 17-20. Meadow will play in the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship this week after playing in Toledo on the LPGA last week. She has played in five Epson Tour events and seven on the LPGA.

“I’m delighted to be going to the Olympics,” said Meadow. “It’s such an amazing opportunity to be able to represent Ireland and be part of the Olympics. I never dreamed that I would be able to be a part of that stage playing golf so it was an unexpected surprise in my career. I’m excited to meet other athletes and learn from them as well.”

Meadow was a four-time All-American at the University Alabama. The highlight of her career so far is a third place finish at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open.

ROSEN HAS CONNECTION TO MICHIGAN FOOTBALL PLAYER

Portland Rosen (Houston, Tx.) grew up next to former Michigan running back Butch Woolfolk, who played in the NFL from 1982-88 for the New York Giants, Houston Oilers and Detroit Lions. Woolfolk won the Big Ten rushing title in 1981 and was the Wolverines team MVP.

“I remember playing catch with a football with him and my dad (Rocket) and I’ve played golf with him since I started at 13-years-old,” said Rosen. “He has actually really helped me with my mental game. He would make me do push ups if I made a bogey or a bad putt. This is when I was first started at 12 or 13.”

NOTE

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye will be part of the pro-am on Wednesday and Thursday. Former Detroit Lions kicker Eddie Murray will be at the pro-am on Thursday.

There is one player in the field that represents France - Fiona Puyo of Hendaye.

FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship Tuesday Pre-Tournament Notes

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