Former Stanford All-American to make Epson Tour debut next week at Decatur-Forsyth Classic
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., August 4, 2016 - The Epson Tour, Road to the LPGA, announced today that former Stanford All-American, Mariah Stackhouse, has received a sponsor exemption into five upcoming Epson Tour events. Stackhouse, who led Stanford to an NCAA national title in 2015, will play in the following events: Decatur-Forsyth Classic presented by Tate & Lyle and the Decatur Park District (August 12-14), Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge (September 1-4), Garden City Charity Classic at Buffalo Dunes (September 8-11), Garden City Charity Classic at Southwind (September 15-17) and the Epson Tour Championship (October 13-16).
In addition to the five Epson Tour events, Stackhouse has signed up to compete in Stage I of LPGA Qualifying Tournament from August 25-28 at Mission Hills Country Club.
“I have watched many of my fellow professionals from junior golf days earn their way onto the LPGA Tour through the Epson Tour,” said Mariah Stackhouse. “I am grateful for the sponsor exemptions that have been extended to me from many Epson Tour tournaments. The Epson Tour is an essential element of elevating professional golf, and I’m proud and humbled to announce that I will be participating in the Decatur-Forsyth Classic presented by Tate & Lyle and Decatur Park District, Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge, Garden City Charity Classic at both Buffalo Dunes and Southwind, and the Epson Tour Championship.”
Stackhouse, a three-time All-American at Stanford, turned professional in June and made her LPGA Tour debut on a sponsors exemption at the Cambia Portland Classic. She made the cut and finished in a tie for 47th. Stackhouse played on the 2014 U.S. Curtis Cup team and led the U.S. to the title. She was the first African-American woman to play the Curtis Cup. She has also qualified for two U.S. Women’s Opens (2011, 2013).
Prior to arriving at Stanford, Stackhouse was a four-time Georgia State Golf Association Girls Player of the Year (2007-2010). She was also a 2011 AJGA Rolex All-American.
Stackhouse, 22, made headlines prior to her professional debut when she signed as a global brand ambassador with KPMG, whose other two professional golfers are Stacy Lewis and Phil Mickelson.
Stackhouse’s money earned on the Epson Tour will not count towards the Volvik Race for the Card money list as she is playing as a non-member.
The first-round of the Decatur-Forsyth Classic is scheduled for Friday, August 12. Stackhouse joins a field of 144 players competing for a total purse of $130,000.
There are just eight Epson Tour events remaining in 2016 and the top ten on the Volvik Race for the Card money list will earn LPGA Tour membership for 2017.