PINEHURST, NC — The ninth stop on the 2020 “Road to the LPGA” takes the Epson Tour to Pinehurst No. 9 for the inaugural Carolina Golf Classic presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina from October 28-31.
This week, golf fans around the world will have the opportunity to watch video coverage of the final round of action on the LPGA’s Facebook page, as the Epson Tour has partnered with Junior Golf Live (JGL) to livestream that last few holes of the tournament on Saturday afternoon, followed immediately by the awards ceremony. Based in Raleigh, NC, Junior Golf Live has a mission to provide more exposure to kids competing in junior golf tournaments, including 2019’s Nike Junior Invitational and Peggy Kirk Bell Tour Championship.
"We are always looking for new ways to showcase the Epson Tour and the outstanding play of our athletes to both current fans and new audiences. What Junior Golf LIVE has been creating in this space with online streaming of amateur golf events seemed like something to explore as a potential solution for the future,” said Mike Nichols, the Chief Business Officer of the Epson Tour. “If nothing else, it will be fun for these players to compete in front of a worldwide audience in the final tournament round, vying for the biggest purse of the season."
The JGL camera crew this weekend will be joined by Amy Rogers of Golf Channel and Leslie Cloots (Antwerp, Belgium), a Epson Tour Professional, for live commentary and insight. Rogers was a host for five years with the LPGA and was the Director of Content Planning and Production. She was the host of Emmy Award Winning "One," a magazine news show featuring the University of Central Florida and communities throughout Florida. Earlier this year, Rogers stepped into a new role at Golf Channel as a Director of Content with Digital Partnerships.
Cloots first earned membership on the Epson Tour in 2017. Prior to competing as a professional, she led the University of North Carolina in scoring average her sophomore through senior year. The 2014 Women’s Golf Association All-American Scholar’s career-best finish on the “Road to the LPGA” was a tie for 23rd at the 2019 Florida’s Natural Charity Classic.
“In today's travel restricted world, live coverage is more valuable than ever to family members, and friends back home. The Epson Tour consists of the best rising Professional Women’s Golfers from all over the world,” said Brian Campbell, CEO of JGL. “We are honored to partner with the Epson Tour and provide live coverage for the inaugural Carolina Golf Classic. This will allow the Epson Tour to showcase the talent of these great players, while expanding their reach and engaging with fans.”
Greeting the 84-player field in Moore County is the largest total purse of the 2020 season with $200,000. Individuals are set to compete in a 72-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 $30,000.
Action for all four rounds get underway at 8:30 a.m. ET off No. 1 and No. 10 tees. The trophy presentation will follow play on Saturday on the back lawn.
COLLEGIATE TIES AT NINTH STOP
A total of nine individuals with ties to four different North Carolina institutions for higher education are featured among the competition in the Tar Heel State.
The University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and North Carolina State are represented by one individual each in Lori Beth Adams (Burlington, NC) and Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ontario). Duke University is represented by two Blue Devils in this week’s field in Ana Belac (Portoroz, Slovenia) and Laetitia Beck (Caesarea, Israel). Meanwhile, five Demon Deacons from Wake Forest are in Pinehurst including Emilia Migliaccio (Cary, North Carolina), Cheyenne Woods (Phoenix, Arizona), Nannette Hill (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida), Allison Emrey (Charlotte, North Carolina), and Sierra Sims (Tampa, Florida).
“It’s always nice playing in North Carolina representing UNCW. I love coming back to Pinehurst, feels like a second home to me,” said Adams. “I have family in Pinehurst so it’s always a good time staying with them. Thank you to both Epson and Blue Cross NC for putting this event on.”
COUNTRIES (AND STATES) OF THE CAROLINA GOLF CLASSIC
A total of 20 countries are represented this week at the Carolina Golf Classic presented by Blue Cross NC, led by the United States with 52 players and followed by Sweden having the next highest of four competitors.
“I am super proud and honored to be representing Denmark every week especially with few of us out here,” said Malene Krolboll Hansen (Taastrup, Denmark), the lone representative of Denmark on the “Road to the LPGA.” “It is an absolute pleasure being able to follow my dream and represent my country at the same time.”
Individuals from 21 different states are also set to tee it up at Pinehurst No. 9. A total of five players hail from the host state, while Florida and California feature most at eight a piece.
“Playing in my home state of NC to finish out the 2020 season means a lot,” said Allison Emrey (Charlotte, NC). “I grew up playing junior golf tournaments in Pinehurst and feel very comfortable there. I love the style and feel of the town and am excited to compete this week.”
ROOKIES JOIN THE FIELD AT PINEHURST
Numerous professionals in their first year on the Epson Tour have traveled to Moore County, as 14 rookies are in the field for the ninth event of the Epson Tour season.
Among them is Ana Ruiz Laphond (Chihuahua, Mexico), a University of Oklahoma alumna. Earlier this year, Laphond finished tied for 11th at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship.
“In my rookie season I have learned how important it is to pace myself and have healthy habits throughout the season to be able to maintain the energy necessary for each tournament,” said Laphond. “Pinehurst brings so many great memories from back in my junior career. I feel so grateful to be part of this event and the prestigious field.”
VOLVIK RACE FOR THE CARD UPDATE
The Epson Tour annually awards LPGA Tour membership to the top players on the Volvik Race for the Card money list at the end of the season and will usher in the next graduating class after 10 events on the 2020 calendar.
With the eighth tournament in the books, the top 10 have continued to shuffle each week. Nine members from the group are in Pinehurst this week, including No.10, Casey Danielson (Osceola, Wisconsin). The Stanford University alumna now has collective earnings of $27,552 this year.
“Being so close to the top 5 is an exciting place to be and will definitely be on my mind the next two weeks,” said Danielson. “I know it’s going to take quite a few low rounds to make it from my position and will be a good test of my game right now. I am going to enjoy the process and use this experience to grow was a player.”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. Five cards will be awarded at the end of this season based on the total number of events on the restructured schedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the inaugural year, a total of 157 players have graduated to the big stage.