Mission Health Wellness Classic
Country Club of Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
May 13, 2015
Wednesday Pre-Tournament Notes
ASHEVILLE, N.C., May 13, 2015 - The Epson Tour, Road to the LPGA, tees off on Friday, May 15 at Country Club of Asheville for the third annual Mission Health Wellness Classic presented by Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.
The top 144 players will compete for a $100,000 total tournament purse with the winner earning $15,000.
This event is always a favorite among Tour players because of the city of Asheville and the layout of the course.
“I love this golf course, I had a good finish here last year and I am excited to be back,” said Casey Grice, who finished third in Asheville last year and ranks seventh on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. “The greens are in good shape and tee to green they have really let the rough grow so that will really help longer hitters that can keep it in the fairway. It’s so pretty, the views here in Asheville are awesome as we play.”
Katherine Perry, the only North Carolina native (Cary) in the field, is excited to be playing back on bent grass.
“It’s a great course and it is in great shape and I love bent grass,” said Perry. “We’ve been on bermuda grass all year so it’s great to be back on bent grass. The rough is really fun to hit out of and I’m just really looking forward to the week.”
Although Cary is four hours east of Asheville, Perrry is excited to be playing in her home state.
“It is great to be back home again,” said Perry. “My parents are going to be able to come watch, which is great. It is great to be in North Carolina again.”
Jean Chua, who finished in a tie for tenth in 2013, says that ball position is going to be the key to manage the Donald Ross designed greens.
“The greens are really slopey one way or the other,” said Chua. “I think the key this week is going to be to stay below the hole and knowing where to place your tee shots.”
INAUGURAL CHAMPION IN FIELD: Giulia Molinaro earned her first professional win at the inaugural Mission Health Wellness Classic in 2013. Although she could have played on the LPGA Tour this week, she decided to come play this event in order to regain her full LPGA status for 2016.
“I decided to proceed with this year on the Epson Tour,” said Molinaro, who has partial LPGA Tour status. “The number one goal is to have a full card for 2016 and what gives me a better chance is to focus on a set schedule. I will still try to get into certain events when I can, but this consistency is what is going to benefit me the most.”
Molinaro carded a final round 7-under 65 in 2013 to win in Asheville. It is tied for the best round of her professional career.
“I love this event, I love the family I stay with and it is a very fun week,” said Molinaro before playing in the Wednesday pro-am. “I’m very happy I was able to come to this event.”
The Treviso, Italy native remembers being very nervous on the 18th hole as she was closing in on victory.
“Even though I knew I had a lead on the 18th hole, I was very, very nervous,” said Molinaro. “In a way, the win gave me the confidence to know that I can play this game. It was a very big turning point to help me get my LPGA Tour card for 2014.”
Molinaro finished second on the Volvik Race for the Card money list in 2013 to earn her full card. This year, she ranks 11th on the money list and has played in just three events. She finished third at the Gateway Classic and tied for second at the Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay.
ASHLEY TAIT TO THROW FIRST PITCH AT TOURISTS GAME THURSDAY: Epson Tour professional Ashley Tait will toss out the ceremonial first pitch on Thursday at the Asheville Tourists game against the Rome Braves. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
Tait played college golf in the state of North Carolina at UNC-Wilmington. She was a first-team All-CAA selection following the 2008-09 season.
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