Story No. 4 – Steen Wins #3 in Richmond
The goal of every Epson Tour player is to finish in the top 10 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list to secure a spot on the LPGA Tour. A secondary goal is to win three times to earn a “battlefield promotion” to the LPGA.
That is exactly what Marissa Steen did. She completed the trifecta with her third win at the Eagle Classic in Richmond.
Steen was able to get into the Cambia Portland Classic through her new status. It was good experience – she did a short press conference and an interview with Golf Channel before her round. She missed the cut, but fulfilled the promotion and gained more experience on the big Tour.
Steen had success on the LPGA Tour earlier in the year when she finished T32 at the Marathon Classic.
With her win in Richmond, she became the ninth player to win three times in a single-season and the first since Cindy LaCrosse in 2010.
In Marissa’s Words…
Playing in the final group in Richmond, I told myself the entire round to stay within myself and “just hit good golf shots.” I knew if I hit good golf shots, my score would take care of itself – and it did! Immediately after the round, Mindy Moore came up to me and told me that I had received a battlefield promotion into the LPGA event the Portland Classic. It was a dream come true for me… Girls play on the Epson Tour in order to finish in the top 10 and gain LPGA status, and here I was, gaining LPGA status even though my season wasn’t finished yet. I knew the battlefield promotion had not been exercised in quite some time, and I was very happy that it was me who was able to showcase the battlefield promotion once more. Winning the third time on the Epson Tour this season really solidified my season in my mind and gave me all the confidence and peace of mind that the LPGA Tour is where I belong. It was a sign to me that all of my hard work has paid off and that I was finally ready for the next level. I was not ready at the beginning of 2014, I knew that – I knew I needed another season to work on my skills. I am thankful that the Epson Tour gave me a place to work on my game and build the confidence I will need at the next level.