The next two weeks of Epson Tour events will have special significance for Gabby Lemieux. Instead of traveling across the country after an off week, the Idaho native gets to stay in her home state for the week’s Circling Raven Championship. She’ll remain close – actually closer to her home – for next week’s inaugural Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic in Oregon.
As a Northwest native playing on a tour that hosts most of their events on the East Coast, this stretch allows easier travel for Lemieux. More importantly, it gives her something she’s not always used to – extra support.
“Both weeks are going to feel like home,” said Lemieux. “I know a lot of people from the Coeur d’Alene tribe, and I know a lot of people from the Umatilla tribe, so I’m going to have a backing in Worley [Idaho] and a backing in Pendleton [Oregon]. Overall, I think it’s just going to be fun to have people come out.”
With her husband on the bag, Lemieux always has someone physically in her corner. Some fans that are local to the east coast tournaments will also show up to support her. However, for the next two weeks, Lemieux will have people she’s familiar with – family and friends – cheering her on in person.
“I feel like social media is awesome for that,” said Lemieux. “There are always messages coming in saying good luck and you can do it. But to have people there, that support gives you the mentality of I can do it. That’s how it’s going to be here.”
The feeling of home and support doesn’t just come from her family and friends’ attendance. This week, the Circling Raven Championship is hosted in Worley, Idaho at the Coeur d’Alene Casino & Resort. The resort is owned by the Coeur d’Alene tribe which welcomes Lemieux, the first and only Native American player on tour, with open arms.
“I take a lot of pride in being the only and first Native American on tour,” said Lemieux. “I think there’s always going to be some challenges and struggles with that too, just because you are the first. I’m trying to get my name out there just like Notah Begay III who played his best golf because a lot of kids look up to him. I’m hoping that’s going to be something for me.”
Lemieux is paving a path for the next generation of golfers and is on her way to hopefully becoming the first Native American to win on the LPGA or Epson Tour. She comes home to Idaho, the place of her previous best finish (T3 at the 2021 Circling Raven Championship), off a new best finish. Lemieux tied for second at the Four Winds Invitational two weeks ago, after losing to Yan Liu in a one-hole playoff.
“I think this is a good momentum boost for the next two tournaments,” said Lemieux at the Four Winds Invitational. “I’m going to stay light and happy and hopefully something will come about it.”
Admission to support Lemieux and the other incredible women teeing it up this week in Worley, Idaho is $10 per day. Fans can also keep up with Lemieux later this week on epsontour.com.
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