Rising stars back in Mesa week of March 27-April 1 to close month of women’s professional golf in greater Phoenix area
MESA, ARIZONA, February 9, 2017 - The Epson Tour, Road to the LPGA, announced the return of the Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club set for the week of March 27 through April 1. The 54-hole
tournament, which will feature the rising stars in women’s golf, begins on Thursday, March 30 and concludes on Saturday, April 1. It comes just two weeks after the Bank of Hope Founders Cup (March 16-19) at Wildfire Golf Club.
The field of 144 professionals from the United States and 25 plus countries around the globe will compete for a tournament purse of $100,000. The winner will earn $15,000 and take an early step towards a spot in the top 10 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. The top 10 on the final money list will earn LPGA Tour membership for the 2018 season.
“We’re excited that we found a way to get the Gateway Classic back on the 2017 schedule because
Longbow Golf Club is a top-notch course that the players love,” said tournament director Ryan Ronk. “We hope the greater Phoenix area rallies behind women’s golf in March with the Founders Cup just two weeks before our event at Longbow Golf Club.”
The Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club has produced an impressive list of winners. In 2015, Chandler native Hannah O’Sullivan, who recently received a sponsors exemption into the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, became the youngest player to ever win on the Epson Tour. The year prior, Alena Sharp, who was an Olympian in 2016 and is No. 73 in the world, won at Longbow Golf Club. Jaclyn Sweeney won the inaugural event in 2013.
“As a previous host city of the Epson Tour, we are thrilled to see this exciting tour event return to Mesa,” said Visit Mesa President and CEO Marc Garcia. “Our host, Longbow Golf Club, serves as one of the state’s leading courses for developing the game at all levels. Further, Longbow Golf Club instructors and staff have long been recognized for their dedication and investment to the sport, helping ensure the future of both the LPGA and the Epson Tour are bright.”
Tournament week begins on Tuesday, March 28 with official practice rounds. The pro-am, which is open to all amateur golfers in the area, will be on Wednesday, March 29 at 8:00 a.m.
The Tour is also hosting a junior clinic for approximately 300 kids from Mesa Public Schools in partnership with the First Tee of Phoenix on March 28. The clinic will take place at Longbow Golf Club from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Epson Tour professionals will lead the clinic.
Admission and parking are free all three days of tournament play.
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