BEAUMONT, Calif. — The third stop on the 2019 “Road to the LPGA” takes the Epson Tour to Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon in the Golden State for the fourth annual IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa from March 29-31.
“Between this event, the IOA Invitational in Georgia and IOA Golf Classic in Florida, IOA has continued to demonstrate their dedication to providing a platform for the next wave of LPGA Tour talent to compete and shape their path,” said Mike Nichols, the Chief Business Officer of the Epson Tour. “We couldn’t be more enthusiastic of the year ahead and continuing to strengthen our relationship with a top partner on the Epson Tour.”
Greeting the 144-player field in Beaumont, Calif. 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.
“Expanding our title sponsor portfolio from the Pacific to Atlantic has been key to not only the growth of the Epson Tour, but our brand at IOA,” said Insurance Office of America (IOA) Chairman and CEO Heath Ritenour. “Ultimately, giving young women more opportunities to pursue their dreams is what allows our values and name to be even more relatable to our consumer. It’s a facet of our agenda that we hope to continue in the years to come.”
Defending champion Stephanie Meadow (Jordanstown, Northern Ireland) is not among the competitors, as she was a 2018 Epson Tour graduate. The victory in Southern California helped the four-time First Team All-American for the University of Alabama (2010-2014) finish at No. 6 in the Volvik Race for the Card.
“Winning the IOA Championship really jumpstarted my season and gave me a lot of confidence for the year, also allowing me to slot into the top-10 early,” Meadow said. “Insurance Office of America is an unbelievable supporter of the Epson Tour and their vision of growing women’s professional golf is outstanding. As players, I don’t think we can thank them enough.”
First and second round action gets underway at 7:20 a.m. PT off No. 1 and No. 10 tees. Meanwhile, the final round will start at 7:30 a.m. with all groups heading off No. 1 tee in twosomes.
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