LONGWOOD, Fla. — The 22nd stop on the 2019 “Road to the LPGA” takes the Epson Tour to Alaqua Country Club in the Sunshine State for the sixth annual IOA Golf Classic from September 27-29. It is also the fourth tournament in the Million Dollar March, the stretch of five events to end the season with a cumulative purse of $1 million.
“It’s really an exciting time as we keep stride in the sprint to the finish of the 39th Epson Tour season,” said Mike Nichols, the Chief Business Officer of the Epson Tour. “IOA has been a loyal and supportive sponsor for several years now and the IOA Golf Classic bookends their partnership of three tournaments hosted. We couldn’t be more pleased to see the Tour grow the more that IOA is involved.”
Greeting the 108-player field in Longwood is a total purse of $175,000. 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. The winner’s share for the event is $26,250.
“Another successful year boosting the future of women’s golf has come and [just about] gone, as we are looking forward to hosting a great week for our final 2019 event," said Insurance Office of America (IOA) Chairman and CEO Heath Ritenour. “Along with Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions on the LPGA Tour, we are grateful to expand our brand with a recognizable and growing professional sports organization with similar values we practice at IOA.”
Defending champion Ruixin Liu (Dalian, China) is not among the competitors, as she finished No. 1 in the 2018 Volvik Race for the Card to earn Epson Tour Player of the Year. The victory in central Florida was the second of three for Liu in her sophomore season on the “Road to the LPGA” and one of 12 top-25s.
“I’ll always remember winning the IOA Golf Classic because of the amazing avenue IOA provides to all players to chase our dreams and it also sealed my LPGA card,” Liu said. “Good luck to the field this year and as always, thank you to IOA for giving us an outstanding opportunity and helping grow the women’s professional game.”
Action gets underway at 8:00 a.m. ET all three days with play starting off No. 1 and No. 10 tees in the first and second round. Meanwhile, all groups will head off No. 1 tee in twosomes for the final round with a trophy presentation to follow on No. 18 green.
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