The Epson Tour, Road to the LPGA, returns to action with the 32nd annual Decatur-Forsyth Classic Presented by Tate & Lyle and Decatur Park District at Hickory Point Golf Course from August 12-14. The Decatur-Forsyth Classic begins a stretch of eight tournaments in ten weeks to conclude the 2016 season. The tournament was first played at Hickory Point Golf Course in 1985.
The top 144 aspiring LPGA Tour stars from the United States and 26 countries around the globe will compete for an increased purse of $130,000. The winner will earn $19,500 and more importantly move up the Volvik Race for the Card money list. With just eight events left in the season, each dollar earned is significant. The top ten on the final money list after the Epson Tour Championship from October 13-16 will earn LPGA Tour membership for the 2017 season.
First-round play begins on Friday, August 12 at 7:30 a.m. from the first and tenth tees. The final-round is Sunday, August 14 and play will begin from the first tee only in groups of two. The estimated finishing time is 3:45 p.m. and the trophy ceremony will follow on the 18th green. There will be a cut to the low 60 and ties following second-round play on Saturday.
EFFINGHAM’S JANSEN PLAYING BOTH LPGA/EPSON TOUR: Jaclyn Jansen of Effingham is back in her home state this week to compete in her sixth Epson Tour event of the season. Jansen, who finished T43 at 2015 LPGA Qualifying Tournament to earn conditional LPGA status, has also played in seven LPGA events this year.
“I’ve been playing back-and-forth,” said Jansen. “The Epson Tour gets you prepared and then you get to play against the best. This year has been really cool and I want to be out there (LPGA) full-time.”
Jansen’s best finish on the LPGA this year is a tie for 56th at the Meijer LPGA Classic. Jansen said that while there is not a huge difference between the tours, there has been a learning curve.
“Everyone on the LPGA can go out there and shoot a 65 so the pressure is definitely ramped up,” said Jansen. “It’s still pretty similar, but of course there is more money at stake and you just have a bigger stage to play on.”
Jansen, who will have family and friends watching this weekend, is excited about playing a longer Hickory Point Golf Course. Certain tee boxes have been pushed back this year and the course is now playing 6,793 yards, the longest course on Tour yardage wise.
“I like the golf course and I noticed during my practice rounds they have moved certain tees back and that will benefit the longer hitters like me,” said Jansen. “I’ve also been making more putts this year too which is great.”
FORMER ILLINI SHULDT HOPING FOR BIG WEEK: Ember Schuldt (Sterling) still lives in the Champaign area after graduating from the University of Illinois in 2014. She was a Second-Team All-Big Team performer as a senior.
“It’s always nice to stay at home, at least for a few days,” said Schuldt, who is commuting back-and-forth during the early part of the week. “It’s a lot of fun to play in the home state because a lot of family and friends can come and it is nice to be back in the state of Illinois and see the corn fields.”
Her boyfriend will be her caddy this week and her parents are going to make the three hour trip to watch her play over the weekend.
Schuldt said Hickory Point Golf Course reminds her of the courses she plays in Champaign.
“It’s definitely pretty similar to Champaign in that it is pretty flat and very scorable, which I think will be proven this weekend,” said Schuldt. “There will certainly be a lot of birdies this weekend.”
Schuldt said she has great memories of her days at Illinois.
“I loved my teammates, I loved my coaches and I just love the school,” said Schuldt. “It was a great four years and obviously I still live there so it’s a great place.”
Schuldt hopes that this event is a great showcase for the state and especially golf in Central and Southern Illinois.
“Everyone always thinks of Chicago right away when you say Illinois,” said Schuldt. “There are so many good courses in Central and Southern Illinois. You got Decatur with Hickory Point and Red Tail and others and then Springfield, which has hosted an LPGA event. It’s nice to represent Central Illinois rather than just Chicago.”
TOP TEN PLAYERS KNOW IT IS CRUNCH TIME: Ally McDonald, No. 2 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list, and Sophia Popov, No. 8, participated in a Facebook Live chat today (Facebook.com/RoadtotheLPGA) and they answered fun questions and also talked about the final eight events of the year.
“Obviously, the final stretch is really important as you want to make as much money as you can to get a safe spot up there,” said Popov. “It’s very close in that top five to top 15 so you really have to fight for it.”
“I think every week is a grind, regardless of where you are,” said McDonald. “I don’t think you can get really comfortable. I think you just have to keep grinding and try to finish as best you can at each event.”
Both players were in the 1:00 p.m. shotgun pro-am and are seeing Hickory Point Golf Course for the first time this week.
“What you see is what you get,” said Popov. “I played a practice round yesterday and I feel comfortable on the course. It is really target golf, but I have to watch out for the spin a little because all the greens go back to front.”
The two also discussed the Olympics, favorite golf courses, must bring essentials on the road and more. Here are a few quotable notes from the rapid-fire portion.
“I’ve been big into watching beach volleyball, but in no way could I play that. If I had to play one sport it would be basketball because I played a lot in high school so it would be cool to get back on the court and shoot some hoops” (Ally McDonald)
“In ten years I want to be a major winner and a top ranked player in the world. If I am not, I want to be a sportscaster preferably for ESPN or a major station in Germany, but I definitely want to cover the Olympics one day.”
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