(HARRIS, Mich.) – Sweetgrass Golf Club (www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com) at Island Resort & Casino announces today that the Island Resort Championship, June 27-29, will be one of four events played as part of the LPGA Symetra Tour’s newly created Potawatomi Cup.
An incentive-based points system will award Symetra Tour players bonuses based on performance at four Potawatomi Nation casino-sponsored Potawatomi Cup tournaments. In total, $40,000 will be awarded, with $8,500 available each week, and an additional $5,000 going to the overall winner.
“We’re thrilled to team up with the other venues that have tribal ties and to be part of the inaugural Potawatomi Cup,” says Tony Mancilla, tribal attorney for the Hannahville Indian Community, which owns and operates Island Resort and Casino and Sweetgrass Golf Club. “The format is sure to add even more excitement to the Island Resort Championship, which has shown tremendous growth and popularity each year.”
“All four Potawatomi Nation casinos have banded together to provide a significant cash incentive for our players trying to reach the LPGA Tour,” said Mike Nichols, chief business officer of the Symetra Tour. “We are grateful for the support of our casino partners, having grown from one tournament three years ago to four casino sponsored tournaments this year. Our Symetra Tour events help these casinos by generating publicity, community goodwill with a charitable component at an incredible value.”
In addition to the Island Resort Championship, the three other events include the Firekeepers Hotel and Casino Classic in Battle Creek, Michigan (June 6-8), the Four Winds Invitational in South Bend, Indiana (June 20-22) and the Prairie Band Casino and Resort Charity Classic in Mayetta, Kansas (September 5-7).
The Potawatomi Cup will be awarded at the Prairie Band Casino and Resort Charity Classic on Sunday, Sept. 7.
Three-day grounds passes to the Island Resort Championship are $10; kids 17 and under enter free with a paying parent. All ticket holders will be eligible for daily prize drawings.
The tournament is also accepting volunteers on a first-come, first-served basis at the Delta County Chamber of Commerce website (www.deltami.org) through June 1.
To purchase tickets visit http://www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com/symetra-tour-2014
For more information: www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com, 877-ISL-GREEN
About the Championship
Welcoming the world’s brightest new talent in women’s professional golf, the Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass is a Symetra Tour – Road to the LPGA event held at Sweetgrass Golf Club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The 54-hole stroke-play event will be held June 27-29, 2014. Located in Harris, Michigan, Sweetgrass Golf Club was designed by Michigander Paul Albanese and is situated at the Island Resort & Casino. Both course and resort are owned/operated by the Hannahville Indian Community of the Potawatomi Nation.
About the Symetra Tour
The Symetra Tour – Road to the LPGA, is the official Qualifying Tour for the LPGA and enters its 34th competitive season in 2014. With the continued support of its umbrella sponsor, Symetra, the Tour’s mission is to prepare the world’s best young women professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. Top-10 money winners receive full, equal status for the following season on the LPGA Tour.
The 2014 schedule includes 20 tournaments with stops in 12 U.S. states and a total purse of $2 million. Symetra Tour events have contributed more than $5 million to charitable organizations throughout the nation since 1989.
For more information: www.SymetraTour.com.
Contact:
Dan Shepherd, Buffalo Communications
703.403.5317
dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
Gary Trask, Buffalo Communications
978.228.0314
gtrask@buffalocommunications.com
