Prairie Band Casino & Resort Charity Classic
Firekeeper Golf Course
Mayetta, Kansas
September 13, 2015
Final-Round News & Notes
MAYETTA, Kan., September 13, 2015 - Annie Park (Levittown, New York) continued her unbelievable rookie campaign by carding a 7-under 65, which tied the female course record, to win the Prairie Band Casino & Resort Charity Classic on Sunday at Firekeeper Golf Course. She finished at 13-under 203, three shots clear of Margarita Ramos (Mexico City, Mexico), to claim her third Epson Tour win in just nine starts.
Park locks up an LPGA Tour card for the 2016 season as she moves to No. 2 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list with just four events left. Park also won the Toyota Danielle Downey Classic and the PHC Classic. She becomes the tenth player in Tour history to win three events in a single-season.
“It has been a lifelong dream of mine to play on the LPGA since I started golf when I was eight years old,” said Park. “I looked up to Annika Sorenstam and I knew I wanted to be like her when I grew up. I’m speechless and I can’t wait to play on the LPGA next year.”
Park, who trailed by three shots entering the final round, birdied three of her first four holes to quickly erase the deficit. The 20-year-old proceeded to birdie six and eight to make the turn at 31 and grab a two shot lead on the tee box at 10. In the group behind Park, second round leader Sara-Maude Juneau (Quebec, Canada) made a double-bogey on nine to give Park a four shot cushion.
The 2013 NCAA individual national champion at USC made birdie on 12 to take a commanding five shot lead with six to play. Park didn’t let up with a birdie on 15 and an easy tap in birdie on the drivable par-4 17th to leave no doubt. She made an easy par on 18 and the rest was academic. Ramos charged late with birdies on 14, 15 and 17, but Park had already built an insurmountable lead.
“My goal coming into the round was just to make a lot of putts because I missed a few in the first two rounds,” said Park, who attempted 31 putts in rounds one and two, but just 28 on Sunday. “I was hitting and putting well so it was a great day.”
Park has now posted 23 consecutive rounds of even par or better. Of the 23 rounds, 21 have been under par. Her last over par round was June 28 at the Island Resort Championship.
“My first two wins were pretty unexpected and I’d say this one was too,” said Park. “I had a blast on the Epson Tour with my friends Grace (Na), Jennifer (Yang) and Kimberly (Kim). All the players are so nice on Tour and it didn’t even feel like playing tournament golf sometimes.”
Although Park has secured her LPGA card, she intends to play the rest of the tournaments, although she will focus more on her school work.
“My goal is to finish my 20 units of school for this semester,” said Park, a communications major at USC. “I also want to graduate in May of 2016 so hopefully I can balance both golf and school next year.”
Park’s mom, Ann, has been a popular caddie on Tour because of her bubbly personality and hip dance moves after a birdie.
“On and off the course, my mom keeps me happy and having fun,” said Park. “I love traveling with her. Not only does she caddie, but she cooks and drives. She gets the super mom award. She has been my hero too growing up.”
In just nine starts, Park has now earned $66,125. She has finished inside the top 15 in each of the last seven events.
ANNIE PARKS WINS 2015 POTAWATOMI CUP: Annie Park also earned 500 points for her victory at the Prairie Band Casino & Resort Charity Classic to win the Potawatomi Cup with 1,068 total points. Park also won the PHC Classic and finished in a tie for 19th in her professional debut at the Four Winds Invitational.
The Prairie Band Casino & Resort Charity Classic is the final of five Potawatomi Cup events.
“I’m very thankful to the events sponsored by Potawatomi Nation tribes for organizing the Potawatomi Cup,” said Park. “They were obviously some of my favorite events this year because I was able to play well and they all treated us great.”
Park earns a $6,000 bonus for winning the Potawatomi Cup and also pockets $3,000 to having the highest point total at the end of the Prairie Band Casino & Resort Charity Classic. Park made a total of $10,500 through the Potawatomi Cup.
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