For the second week in a row, the Epson Tour will have a 17-year-old testing her talent against some of the best in the women’s game. Alaqua Country Club’s Mara King will get her third IOA Golf Classic start as a sponsor exemption, alongside Epson Tour athlete, Min-G Kim.
King played in both the 2022 and 2023 IOA Golf Classic, missing the cut both years. Regardless of those results, however, the Florida native is grateful for the opportunity to play, meet new friends and make lasting memories. Outside of the IOA Golf Classic, King has shown her talent on the junior stage, winning the 54 Hole Celebration Junior Open, finishing second at the Florida Junior Tour Labor Day Major and tying for 12th at the American Junior Golf Association’s Billy Horschel Junior Championship presented by Zurich.
“To be able to play this event on the Epson Tour means the world to me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to play against some of the best women’s golfers in the world,” said King. “It really allows me to see where I stack up against my future competition. It is an incredible chance for me to learn from those who have been playing this game for longer than me, and to make new friends along the way. Making memories I will never forget.”
Kim has played seven seasons on the Epson Tour, making her debut as a rookie with dual status on both the LPGA and Epson Tours in 2017. The Republic of Korea native’s best finish on the LPGA Tour was a tie for eighth at the 2021 Volunteers of America Classic, and she has had more success on the Epson Tour, recording 12 top-10 finishes. Her best result was a tie for second that came at the 2018 Valley Forge Invitational.
“I’m super excited for my first event after a long offseason, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that I have been given by the sponsors,” said Kim. “I’ve played in this event so many times and was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get in the field which would’ve been a shame as this is one my favorite events.”
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