BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — The 18th stop on the 2019 “Road to the LPGA” takes the Epson Tour to Battle Creek Country Club in the Great Lakes State for the sixth annual FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship from August 16-18.
“As the final tournament in the Potawatomi Cup series, FireKeepers continues to provide outstanding opportunities for our players,” said Mike Nichols, the Chief Business Officer of the Epson Tour. “They have also made an impact in the community, between their work with the Food Bank of South Central Michigan and the Haven of Rest Shelter. The week on and off the course definitely won’t disappoint.”
Greeting the 144-player field in Battle Creek is a total purse of $125,000. 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 $18,750.
“This is the time of year we look forward to and that all of our planning initiatives come full circle,” said Kathy George, the Tournament Director and FireKeepers Casino Hotel CEO. “The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi and FireKeepers Casino Hotel are proud to be part of the Epson Tour now for a sixth season. It has allowed us to establish an event beneficial to outreach in the local community while providing an inviting experience to the professional golfers. It’s sure to be the best tournament week yet in the Cereal City.”
Defending champion Marta Sanz Barrio (Madrid, Spain) is among the competitors, as the win was the first of her Epson Tour career and one of four top-15 finishes from the Auburn University alumna. It helped propel Sanz Barrio to finish at No. 31 in the final 2018 Volvik Race for the Card standings.
“I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Battle Creek and FireKeepers,” Sanz Barrio said. “All of the staff does a fantastic job welcoming us to Southwest Michigan and the course is always in great shape. It will be challenging, but I can’t wait to get back and try to defend the title.”
Action gets underway at 7:30 a.m. ET 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 in twosomes for the final round with a trophy presentation to follow on No. 18 green.
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