Sebring High School golf team member Kendall Griffin along with current Florida Southern College star Abbey Williams and ‘07 National Champ Jackie Stoelting in field

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, March 22, 2016 - The Epson Tour, Road to the LPGA, announced today the two sponsor exemptions for the 2016 Florida’s Natural Charity Classic, held at Lake Wales Country Club from April 8-10. Sebring High School star Kendall Griffin and Florida Southern College standout Abbey Williams will compete as amateurs in the field alongside top professionals from the United States and around the globe.

First-round play begins on Friday, April 8 and the 54-hole tournament will wrap up on Sunday, April 10. The field of 156 players will compete for $175,000, the largest purse in the history of the event.

Griffin, the No. 45 ranked junior in the country according to Golfweek, has committed to play college golf at Louisiana State University (LSU). Griffin earned a medal at the 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball along with fellow Polk County native Athena Yang. In January, she captured the 84th Doherty Women’s Amateur Championship. For the last three years, Griffin has placed in the top five in the FHSAA Class 2A Florida State Championship.

“I am very humbled and honored to receive one of the sponsor exemptions this year,” said Griffin. “I just want everyone who made this possible for me to know that I am truly thankful and will be forever grateful. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life and I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can through the experience I will gain that week.”

Williams, a sophomore at Florida Southern College, already has two top 10 finishes during the 2015-16 season and leads the Mocs with a 78.40 scoring average. Williams had three top 20 results as a freshman and was named to the Sunshine State Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll. The Marietta, Georgia native was a four-time first team all-county at Walton High School.

“I was so excited to hear about this opportunity and am looking forward to playing, since one of my long term goals is to play professionally,” said Williams. “My back-up plan is to work at the Golf Channel, so experiencing a professional event from inside the ropes will help me better understand the player’s view.”

Jackie Stoelting, a former Florida Southern College golfer, will also play in the event. Stoelting, who graduated from the Epson Tour to the LPGA following the 2014 season, played for the Mocs from 2004 to 2008 and was a two-time All-American. She helped the Mocs win the 2007 NCAA DII National Championship. Stoelting has two career Epson Tour victories and 20 top 10 finishes.

Tickets to the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic are $10 for a day grounds pass and $25 for a three-day pass. For more information, contact Tournament Director Tim Kramer at tim.kramer@lpga.com.

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