HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. The eighth stop on the 2021 “Road to the LPGA” takes the Epson Tour to Mission Inn Resort and Club in the Sunshine State for the Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship from May 28-30.
“The Mission Inn Resort staff could not be more thrilled to host the Epson Tour again this year,” said Bud Beucher, General Manager at Mission Inn Resort & Club. “Last season we were able to see first-hand how close these women are to competing on the LPGA Tour. They work tremendously hard all week and we are looking forward to another incredible year working with the Road to the LPGA.”
Greeting the 144-player field in Howey-In-The-Hills, Fla. is a total purse of $200,000. Individuals are set to compete in a 54-hole stroke play format with a cut to the low 60 players and ties after 36 holes. The winner’s share for the event is $30,000.
“The Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship was one of three inaugural tournaments during our abbreviated 2020 season,” said Mike Nichols, the Chief Business Officer of LPGA Qualifying Tours. “Their team showed incredible initiative to host a safe event while providing the players and staff with the first-class hospitality experience for which they are renowned. We are grateful for their continued support this year hosting our eighth tournament of twenty as the Top 10 in the Race for the Card starts to take shape.”
Defending champion Matilda Castren (Helsinki, Finland) is not among the competitors in the field. Castren claimed three top-15 finishes in five starts last year on the Epson Tour and made six cuts in nine starts on the LPGA Tour. Castren claimed her career-best finish on the LPGA Tour last season with T8 at the Drive On Championship – Reynolds Lake Oconee. She will be competing in the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open after qualifying in Westminster, Colo., at the Ranch Country Club.
“I had a great week at the Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship last year. Having my first pro win was so special and gave me a great confidence boost going forward in the season last year,” said Castren. Mission Inn was a great host, everyone was so friendly and welcoming to us and the course gave us a nice challenge. I wish I could come back this year to defend my title, but I’m happy to say I’ll be preparing for the US Open the following week. Wishing all the best for the girls playing.”
First, second and final round action gets underway at 7:30 a.m. ET. Play will begin from No. 1 and No. 10 tees for the first two rounds and all off of No. 1 on Sunday with the awards ceremony following play behind the 18th green.
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