GREENWOOD, S.C., May 4, 2016 - The Epson Tour, Road to the LPGA, begins a five-week stretch of events with the most anticipated event on the schedule, the 3rd annual Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic at The Links at Stoney Point. The fifth event of the season offers the largest purse ($250,000) and winner’s payout ($37,500) in the 36-year history of the Tour. There is a new twist this year as the Legends Tour will compete on Sunday and there will be two winners on the 18th green.
The top 144 professionals from the U.S. and 25 different countries around the globe will compete for the potentially life-changing winner’s check. Based on the current Volvik Race for the Card money list, the winner of this event will likely move into the top three. The top 10 on the final money list after the Epson Tour Championship (October 13-16) will earn LPGA membership for the 2017 season.
First-round play for the Epson Tour begins on Thursday, May 5 and the 72-hole event will conclude on Sunday, May 8. Play will begin at 7:30 a.m. all four days of the tournament. The Legends Tour will play an 18-hole tournament on Sunday. The Epson Tour field will be cut to the top 60 and ties after second-round play on Friday, April 6.
FIVE PLAYERS VISIT THE BURTON CENTER: Five Epson Tour professionals visited the Burton Center on Wednesday morning. The players got a Tour of the offices, warehouses, working centers and the Miracle League field.
“Burton Center is a special place providing real life experiences to people with special needs,” said Candy Hannemann. “To see the happiness in the eyes of the people they help is really magical and it says it all.”
The Burton Center offers a variety of servies for people with disabilities and special needs (autism, mental retardation, head injuries, spinal cord injuries and related disabilities). The center is dedicated to providing quality services that enable each person to reach their full potential.
“It was an amazing experience getting to visit the Burton Center,” said Ericka Schneider. “It takes a place like Greenwood to help make a place like this successful and give those in need the opportunity to succeed.”
The five players were Candy Hannemann, Luciane Lee, Michelle Piyapattra, Ulrika Van-Niekerk and Ericka Schneider.
“What an enlightening experience,” said Van-Niekerk. “I loved learning more about the center and what an incredible impact they have on the lives of so many people. We as players are very funtunate to have an event in a supportive community like Greenwood.”
Part of the proceeds from the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic will directly benefit the Burton Center. For more information about the Burton Center, visit www.burtoncenter.org.
SARA-MAUDE EXPLAINS SURGE IN CANADIAN SUCCESS: In 2012, Sara-Maude Juneau (Quebec, Canada) was the only Canadian golfer to finish in the top 10 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. Times are changing on the Epson Tour as five Canadians currently stand inside the top 20 on the money list through four events.
“Most of the girls currently near the top came through the Canadian National Team program and the
success is a reflection on that program,” said Juneau from the driving range at The Links at Stoney Point. “Golf has become a very important sport in Canada and this is showing it. There is a good batch out here right now.”
Juneau played on the Canadian National team in 2008 and 2010.
“We have this program where you play tournaments and it gives you points and based on the points at the end of the year you get on the national team,” explained Juneau. “Being on the national team is a really big honor. We get clothes, get special exemptions and a couple training camps a year where we are surrounded by coaches, trainers, nutritionists and all you can think of.”
Juneau said playing against current fellow professionals like Jessica Wallace, Maude-Aimee Leblanc, Sue Kim, Jennifer Kirby and Nicole Vandermade really pushed her.
“I’m really not surprised by the success,” said Juneau. “They have good programs in Canada and they are really pushing golf.”
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