HURRICANE, UT. — The Epson Tour has finalized the 120-player field for the Copper Rock Championship. The "Road to the LPGA" returns to the Beehive State for the third annual tournament at Copper Rock Golf Course in Hurricane, Utah. The tournament will begin on April 27 and conclude on the 29th.
Individuals will compete in a 54-hole, stroke-play format for $230,000 and a winner's share of $34,500. A cut will be made to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes. Tournament admission varies throughout the week, ranging from $15-275. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.copperrockchampionship.com/.
"Women's professional golf had been absent from Utah for decades until the ownership of Copper Rock embraced the tour and committed to hosting a Championship. Copper Rock takes great pride in presenting the Championship in an elite manner reflecting not only Copper Rock but the entire state of Utah," said Volunteer and Event Coordinator Penny James-Garcia. "We broadcast a 1 hour special on Golf Channel reaching millions of households around the world showcasing the beauty of Southern Utah and the Epson Tour players. We hire many local contractors to produce our event creating jobs. Utah is a golf destination. Hosting the Epson Tour event elevates the stature of play associated with our city, county and state."
A classic rock cover band, Galling Stones, will perform after the second round on Friday, April 28, at 7:30 pm. Local food trucks will be on-site, with water, soda, and beer available for purchase. The performance will take place on the 11th hole with seating provided or bring a blanket to enjoy some classic rock.
The four 2023 champions will compete in Hurricane this week, including the Epson Tour's most recent winner, Gigi Stoll. To go along with her first Epson Tour victory, the former Arizona Wildcat also has seven career top-10 finishes on the Epson Tour. Stoll has not missed a cut in the 2023 season and will look to continue her great play at the Copper Rock Championship.
"I'm looking forward to getting back into competition on the Epson Tour after some time off," said Stoll. "Copper Rock [Golf Course] is a great venue, and the tournament sponsors do a fantastic job."
Past champions Bailey Tardy and Dottie Ardina have both gone on to play events on the LPGA Tour since winning the Copper Rock Championship 2021 and 2022, respectively. Ardina, who has status on the LPGA and Epson Tours in 2023, will return to Copper Rock Golf Course this week to defend her title. Other notable competitors from the past two years that have moved on to the LPGA Tour include Grace Kim (T17 in 2022), who went on to claim her first LPGA Tour victory at the 2023 LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei, Lucy Li (T17 in 2022), Samantha Wagner (T2 in 2021) and Lilia Vu (T8, 2021).
Marta Sanz Barrio and Laetitia Beck, who finished in a share of second place in 2022, will return to Hurricane with unfinished business in 2023. Beck has opened the season strong, making the cut and finishing T30 or better in all four events thus far.
"This year, I started playing a little better, so I'm definitely a little more excited than I was at the end of last season," said Beck. "I hope I can continue the same play. I just need to finish a little stronger, but if I keep playing the way I have been, then I can have another good finish."
)
)
)
)
