MAINEVILLE, Ohio — The 10th stop on the 2021 “Road to the LPGA” takes the Epson Tour to TPC River’s Bend in the Buckeye State for the third annual Prasco Charity Championship from June 25-57.
Greeting the 144-player field in Maineville, Ohio is a total purse of $175,000. Individuals are set to compete in a 54-hole stroke play format with a cut to the low 60 players and ties after 36 holes. The winner’s share for the event is $26,250.
Defending champion Perrine Delacour (Paris, France) is not among the competitors. She finished No. 1 on the money list in 2019 to earn LPGA Tour membership for 2020. The victory was one of 10 top-10s for Delacour during the 2019 campaign.
Action gets underway at 7:30 a.m. EDT all three days with play starting off No. 1 and No. 10 tees in the first and second round. Meanwhile, all groups will head off No. 1 tee for the final round with a trophy presentation to follow on No. 18 green.
SEVERAL COLLEGIATE TIES AT 10TH STOP
Five individuals with ties to Ohio institutions for higher education are featured among the competition in the Buckeye State and are names to keep an eye on once the event starts Friday.
Kent State University has three representatives in Josee Doyon (St. Georges, Quebec), Michaela Finn (Brastad, Sweden) and Karoline Stormo (Tvedestrand, Norway). Meanwhile, the Ohio State University has two representatives in Rachel Rohanna (Marianna, Pennsylvania) and Jaclyn Lee (Calgary, Alberta).
“I'm always excited to compete in Ohio. I love the atmosphere and energy Buckeye fans bring. It feels like home to me,” said Rohanna.
COUNTRIES (AND STATES) OF THE PRASCO CHARITY CHAMPIONSHIP
A total of 29 countries are represented this week at the Prasco Charity Championship, led by the United States with 73 players then followed by Canada having the next highest of nine competitors.
“I feel blessed to represent Canada on the Epson Tour. It’s always a huge sense of pride to be able to represent my country into another country,” said Doyon. “When I see the Canadian flag by my name, it always reminds me that all my efforts and sacrifices I’m doing for my sport are the product of where I’m from.”
Individuals from 28 different states are also set to tee it up at TPC River’s Bend. Four players hail from the host state, while Florida boasts the most with 11.
“As a veteran player, I really consider so many of these stops on the Epson Tour as second homes and I love coming back to see old friends and familiar places. There are so many good people all over the world. But of course, Ohio is an extra special place for me, and I love representing Ohio,” said Allie White (Lancaster, Ohio). “Most of my sponsors are from Ohio and so many of the golf lessons I've gotten from different pros happened here. I can't wait to go out there and defend our turf. And to get to do it on as high of a quality, fun to play place as TPC River’s Bend is even better.”
ROOKIES APLENTY IN THE BUCKEYE STATE
Numerous professionals in their first year on the Epson Tour have made the trek to Warren County, as 27 rookies are in the field and eager for the 10th event of the Epson Tour season. Among them is Haylee Harford (Leavittsburg, Ohio), who is playing in her home state this week. Harford is currently No. 14 on the Race for the Card money list with three top-10 finishes so far this season.
“It’s really special to have an event in my home state this week where family and friends can attend. I have many amazing memories from my junior and amateur career in Ohio, one being the Junior PGA Championship at TPC River’s Bend. I’m looking forward to returning as a professional to make new memories, or even bring home a win for all of the people here that continue to support me and my dreams,” said Harford.
RACE FOR THE CARD UPDATE
The Epson Tour annually awards LPGA Tour Membership to the top players on the Race for the Card money list. With eight tournaments in the books, the top-10 underwent some shifting following the Island Resort Championship. Eight of the 10 members from the group are in Maineville including Sophie Hausmann (Nottuln, Germany), the current No. 7 in the rankings.
“It has been an exciting but interesting season so far. I’m in the top-10 right now and that’s the season-long goal, but we have halfway to go so I’m working on finishing near the top a few more events to give myself a chance to achieve this goal,” said Hausmann. “I really enjoy being out here this season, so if I can keep this up, plus staying in the moment and take it week by week, I have a pretty good chance.”
From 1999-2002, the official qualifying tour of the LPGA handed out three cards. Then from 2003-2007, that number increased to five before 10 were distributed starting in 2008. Since the inaugural year, a total of 162 players have graduated to the big stage.
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