The Epson Tour announced today that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) will be the presenting sponsor for the Carolina Golf Classic presented by Blue Cross NC. The penultimate stop in the 41st season takes the “Road to the LPGA” to Forest Oaks Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., from Sept. 30 – Oct. 3.
Greeting the 114-player field in Guilford County is a total purse of $200,000. Individuals are set to compete in a 72-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 $30,000.
“We are honored to have Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina supporting the Road to the LPGA,” said Mike Nichols, Chief Business Officer of LPGA Qualifying Tours. “Their visible and tangible commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives perfectly aligns with our Tour’s mission of trying to increase and improve the opportunities for our athletes. This year’s Carolina Classic as the platform to highlight our shared vision by providing outreach to underrepresented communities across North Carolina.”
This is the fourth year Blue Cross NC has supported the hundreds of women working to achieve their dreams of playing on the LPGA Tour. Previously, Blue Cross NC sponsored the LPGA Q-Series and was also the presenting sponsor for last year’s Carolina Golf Classic to help ensure players would have tournaments to compete in during an unprecedented year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, the Tour and Blue Cross NC are making it a priority to provide multiple opportunities for fans and golfers, including a Jr. Golf Clinic for a diverse group of children from the Triad, which will be led by Epson Tour Pros. Additionally, a select number of tournament exemptions will be provided to student-athletes at local universities and colleges, giving the women an opportunity to play in a professional setting.
“At Blue Cross NC, we believe women should be empowered, strong and confident on and off the playing field,” said Reagan Greene Pruitt, vice president of marketing and community engagement at Blue Cross NC. “We’re honored to support all of the talented women competing in the Epson Tour as they inspire golfers of all ages.”
First, second and final-round action gets underway at 8:30 a.m. ET off No. 1 and No. 10 tees. The trophy presentation will follow play on Sunday on the back lawn of Forest Oaks Country Club. This event will bring the season to a total of 20 events and is the 10th with a purse of $200,000 or more.
)
)
)
)
