It is common practice in professional golf for the host of the tournament to invite a few athletes to play in their event regardless of their status in professional golf. These invites can be for players they feel represent the core practices they value or young players looking for professional playing experience, just to name a couple.
This year's tournament invitees at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship are Gabby Lemieux, a veteran when it comes to professional golf, and Lauren Reed, an amateur who just finished her junior season at Adrian College. The tournament provides a platform for both established players like Lemieux and promising newcomers like Reed to showcase their skills and make their mark in the world of professional golf.
Lemieux began her professional career in 2018 on the Epson Tour but only played in 14 events over her first three years due to her status with the Tour and COVID-19 limiting starts in 2020. In 2021, she began her first full season on the Epson Tour, making 11 cuts in 20 starts, including two top-10 finishes. The season resulted in her finishing 49th in the Race for the Card standings, her best career finish.
The 27-year-old grew up in Caldwell, Idaho, where she competed in several sports before falling in love with golf during high school. The game came to Lemieux quickly, committing to play for Texas Tech University before her time in high school was complete. Lemieux flourished on the golf course while in Lubbock, TX, winning four tournaments, earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors, and was the number one ranked player in the country.
Outside of tournament golf is where Lemieux shines, even with all her impressive accomplishments on the course. Growing up, she noticed there were not many Native American golfers that she could look up to as role models, especially in the women's space. Notah Begay III burst onto the scene as a prominent Native American player who gave back to his communities and was helping grow the game in any way he could. Lemieux took inspiration from Begay and even became close friends with the former PGA TOUR professional. When Lemieux turned professional, she became the first Native American women's golfer to compete on the Epson and LPGA Tour, breaking barriers for those who are to follow, just like her close friend did nearly 30 years ago. Her achievements have not only made her a role model for aspiring golfers but also a symbol of hope and inspiration for the Native American community.
Lemieux lost her status for the 2024 season on the Epson Tour but is still an inspiration in her local communities and plays a significant role in Native American communities she visits throughout the country, making her the perfect fit for FireKeepers Casino Hotel, a proud sponsor of the tournament and a strong supporter of women's golf.
"To get an exemption to compete against some of the best women golfers on the Epson Tour is super exciting, and hopefully, I play my best," Lemieux told Michigan's Big Show host, Michael Patrick Shiels. "There is always going to be some pressure being the first (Native American women's golfer), but I am just excited to have the opportunity to be out here and hopefully inspire some Native youth."
Battle Creek local Lauren Reed, a rising star in the world of golf, will make her first career start on the Epson Tour this week along with Lemieux. The two have quite different experiences, with Lemieux making 67 starts between the Epson and LPGA Tours. Reed's journey to this point has been marked by hard work and dedication, and her debut on the Epson Tour is a testament to her talent and potential.
Like Lemieux, Reed has had a very successful amateur career, with Reed still having some room to add to her resume. The Adrian College junior helped her team win their conference championship in 2023 and she had a highly decorated amateur career before she enrolled at Adrian. While competing in high school, Reed was first-team All-conference and first-team All-State in Michigan.
Reed will be playing for her grandfather when she tees it up for her first time on the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA, and she enters the week with some of the most experience at Battle Creek Country Club because of him. Her grandfather, a member of Battle Creek Country Club for 40 years before he passed away in September of 2023, was her biggest supporter and the reason she began to play, following every step of her golf journey. Reed's participation in this tournament is a tribute to his memory, and her performance will undoubtedly be a source of pride for the whole Reed family.
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