The partnership between the Epson Tour and Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT) continues to provide opportunity for players to compete in 2021 with Jessica Porvasnik (Hinckley, Ohio) the latest recipient of an exemption into a tournament on the “Road to the LPGA.”
Last month in Texas, the Ohio State University alumna captured a runner-up result at the Kathy Whitworth Paris Championship. The top-two finishers at each WAPT tournament earn a spot in a corresponding Epson Tour field. For Porvasnik, it’s a trip to French Lick, Ind., for the fourth annual Donald Ross Classic on the Donald Ross Course at French Lick Resort.
“It [the WAPT] has been really good. The first year [2017] that I was out playing professionally, there were only two mini tours in Orlando and the Cactus [Tour]. They don’t even really compare to what the WAPT has done,” said Porvasnik, who will be making her third career Epson Tour start this week. “[Managing Partner] Gary [DeSerrano] has really provided an opportunity and fought hard for it. He’s done a great job, four-day events and they’re run really well.”
A week after Porvasnik qualified for the Donald Ross Classic, she won the Bella Vista Charity Classic in a sudden-death playoff over Kenzie Wright. That earned exemption into the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic, the 12th Epson Tour stop of the season contested July 15-18.
Between her finishes on the WAPT and Monday qualifying for the Pure Silk Championship pres. by Visit Williamsburg on the LPGA Tour, Porvasnik is accumulating experience to find a rhythm on the course no matter where she plays.
“The game is moving in the right direction and all coming together at the right time,” Porvasnik said. “I think everything is a learning experience. I was in a playoff to win the [Bella Vista] event, in a playoff a couple months ago. Kind of had the same scenario [in each], missed a three-footer then the second time was like, ‘I’ve been here, I’ve done that.’ Drained it. Every opportunity is a learning experience.”
Porvasnik heads off No. 10 tee tomorrow at 8:58 a.m. ET for the first round of the Donald Ross Classic with Ji Eun Baik and Rebecca Lee-Bentham.
)
)
)
)
