It has been almost a year since Gabby Barker last teed it up on the Epson Tour, competing in the Four Winds Invitational in July of 2024. Barker competed on the Epson Tour regularly from 2018-2023 and played in a handful of events throughout the 2024 season as a sponsor exemption.

Barker failed to advance to the Qualifying Stage of 2024 LPGA Q-Series, giving her no status on the Epson Tour for the 2025 season. Despite the setback, the Texas Tech University alum dove headfirst into her game, improving where she could and competing in tournaments on the ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT).

Now, after carding a 1-under 71 last Tuesday at Otter Creek Golf Course’s shootout for a sponsor exemption, she returns to the Epson Tour, a chance to get her game trending in the right direction again.

“I think it was pretty unique, just because I was in the area for the Women's All-Pro Tour. I was like, okay, let's just drive this four and a half hour drive to this ‘Monday Qualifier’ for the Epson Tour tournament,” explained Barker. “It was just really cool to see a different way, a different avenue for girls to get into an Epson Tour event. And for me, it was the first time ever doing it. And coming out and doing a Monday Qualify on a Tuesday was just pretty fun. I mean, a shootout for 18 holes is always pretty fun, and there was some good competition.”

Even without status, Barker can play her way into the rest of the season with a win. It may seem unlikely, but it has happened multiple times on the Epson Tour over the years, most recently at the 2023 Island Resort Championship presented by Delta County Chamber. Tsai Ching Tsang won the beloved, and notoriously challenging, tournament to earn membership on the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA.

No matter what happens, the 28-year-old is ready for her opportunity to compete with some of the world’s best golfers once again.

“I mean, it almost feels like home. You kind of take on this new persona being out here and getting to be, or I guess get the opportunity to play with the best girls outside of LPGA,” said Barker. “So, to be able to get out here and showcase some talent with these guys, it's pretty cool.”

Barker’s 2025 season has been mostly spent on the WAPT, but the Idaho native did get the opportunity to compete in the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass on the LPGA Tour as a sponsor exemption. Although the week did not go as she had hoped, the veteran took it as a valuable learning experience for the year.

“It was unique. It was a really good learning experience, especially for my first big tournament of the year,” said Barker. “It wasn't, I guess, necessarily what I wanted in terms of my playing capability, but I mean, I can't knock myself for going out there and trying.”

Barker will tee it up at the Otter Creek Championship presented by Case Construction this Friday at 7:41 a.m. local time. Follow along with live scoring here.

Gabby Barker Returns to the Epson Tour After Winning an 18-Hole Shootout

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