(HARRIS, Mich.) – The 2015 Island Resort Championship – a Symetra Tour “Road to the LPGA” tournament played at Sweetgrass Golf Club – hosted near-record crowds and continued its tradition of supporting local non-profit organizations, prompting organizers to call it the most successful week in the five-year history of the tournament.
“The Island Resort Championship is one of the most anticipated events on tour each year and once again it was superb,” said Symetra Tour Senior Director of Operations Kathy Lawrence. “The players always feel at home here because there is a level of excellence at every turn, whether it’s the quality of the golf course, the food, the resort accommodations or the superb, welcoming service they receive from the staff and volunteers.”
Area non-profits that sold tickets to the tournament kept 100 percent of profits. In addition, Eagles for Charity, an extra donation program based on the number of eagles made throughout the tournament, raised $1,400 for the Wounded Warrior Project.
“The players, the golf course, our staff and the volunteers put on a great show for the fans,” said Tony Mancilla, Island Resort & Casino general manager and event co-chair. “It’s gratifying to see the outpouring of community support for an event that has become something everyone involved looks forward to each year.”
Sweden’s Dani Holmqvist scored her first career-victory, thanks to a birdie on the 18th hole of Sunday’s final round, prevailing by one stroke over Canada’s Samantha Richdale. Holmqvist earned $27,272, leaping from 38th to 13th on Volvik’s Race for the Card Money List. The top-10 Symetra Tour money list finishers earn a LPGA Tour card for the following season.
The Island Resort Championship is also part of the Potawatomi Cup, which awards cash bonuses to players finishing in the top six of five Potawatomi Native American Indian-owned casino-resort tournaments.
Sweetgrass Golf Club and the Island Resort and Casino forecast measurable growth in rounds and stay-and-play packages immediately following the tournament.
For more information and details on the popular “Perfect Foursome Package,” visit: www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com, or call 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 26-28, 2015. 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 35th competitive season in 2015. 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 2015 schedule includes 23 tournaments with stops in 12 U.S. states and a total purse of $2.73 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:
Gary Trask
Buffalo Brand Invigoration Group
978.228.0314
gtrask@buffalobig.com
Dan Shepherd
Buffalo Brand Invigoration Group
703.403.5317
dshepherd@buffalobig.com
