Admission remains free all four days of event; Purse increases to $350,000 combined
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., February 10, 2016 - The Epson Tour, Road to the LPGA, in conjunction with the Legends Tour announced today that the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial will return to Cypress Lake Country Club the week of April 11-17. The 3rd year event will once again be a joint tournament with separate purses for Epson Tour players and Legends Tour players.
The Epson Tour event will begin play on Thursday, April 14 and run through Sunday, April 17. The Legends Tour portion will begin on Saturday, April 16 and conclude simultaneously with the Epson Tour event.
“The Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial has become a staple in Fort Myers over the last two years,” said Tournament Director Matt Hoover. “The first year with the past greats and the future greats was a success and I’m excited to see all the young stars and all-time greats walk down the same fairways at Cypress Lake.”
The Epson Tour field will consist of the top 139 aspiring LPGA stars along with twelve of the top players from the Taiwan Ladies Professional Golf Association (TLPGA). The tournament purse for the Epson Tour portion has grown by $50,000 to $200,000. The winner on the Epson Tour side will earn $30,000. The Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial is now one of only four tournaments on the Epson Tour schedule with a purse of at least $200,000.
“The Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial has grown into an event our players circle on the schedule,” said Chief Business Officer Mike Nichols. “The addition of the Legends Tour elevated the event and we hope the relationship continues to foster mentorship for our players, a great stage for women’s golf and an opportunity to pay tribute to Patty Berg.”
The Legends Tour field of 30 players will draw from a dozen LPGA Hall of Famers and 120 former LPGA Tour stars now age 45 and over who compete on the official senior tour of the LPGA. The Legends Tour will play for a $150,000 purse and the winner will earn $30,000. Last year, eight Hall-of-Famers were in the field including Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley and Betsy King.
“The inaugural combination of Epson Tour and Legends Tour players last year was a tremendous success,” said Jane Blalock, 27-time LPGA Tour winner and President of the Legends Tour. “We are thrilled to be returning for a second year and commend Chico’s for their innovative vision in bringing the history and future of golf together in this unique event to honor the legacy of Patty Berg.”
The winner’s will also receive the Chico’s Winner’s Jacket, a black blazer with Chico’s signature leopard print lining. In 2015, Epson Tour rookie Augusta James coasted to victory while 2-time LPGA Tour winner LauriexRinker edged Rosie Jones and Barb Mucha on the Legends Tour side. In 2014, Min Seo Kwak won the inaugural event and currently ranks No. 24 on the LPGA official money list through two events.
Epson Tour players and Legends Tour players will be paired in the same groups during weekend play. The top 50 plus ties from the Epson Tour through 36-holes will make the cut and then be paired with the past greats on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, visit www.chicospattybergmemorial.com or contact Matt Hoover at mhoover@wmgllc.com
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