Tournament to be played March 17 through March 20 for a $250,000 purse
Mesa, Ariz. – Back in town for the seventh time, the Epson Tour (formerly Symetra Tour) Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic will tee off this Thursday, March 17 at Longbow Golf Club. The four-day tournament is set to run through Sunday March 20. After two days of practice rounds Monday and Tuesday of the tournament week, a Meet the Pros reception Tuesday and Pro-Am Wednesday will lead into tournament play Thursday through Sunday.
Ruixin Liu was the winner of the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic in 2021. Liu and world #1 amateur Rose Zhang were tied after 72 holes, as they both finished 17-under par. Both players went on to make par on the first playoff hole. Back to the tee for the second playoff hole, Liu and Zhang both found the fairway again. Zhang’s second shot found the desert left of the fairway and she would have to take an unplayable, while Liu found herself on the green in three and sunk her birdie putt to win. Liu now plays on the LPGA and Epson Tours.
“Last year’s tie and playoff holes will be a tough act to follow, but I’m eager to see how these talented women compete at the highest level of their profession,” said Bob McNichols, General Manager at Longbow Golf Club. “Longbow Golf Club has become synonymous with championship golf at all levels. We are thrilled to be hosting the Epson Tour for the seventh time this year.”
Including Liu, past champions of this event include Sarah White, Liv Cheng, Hannah O’Sullivan, Alena Sharp, and Jaclyn Sweeney. Seeking a second title in the same event, Liu (2021), White (2020), and Sharp (2014) are all registered in this year’s field. O’Sullivan won the tournament in 2015 as McNichols’ player exemption that year as a fifteen-year-old amateur, posting a score of fifteen under par. Her victory in 2015 made her the youngest winner in the history of the Epson Tour.
This year, McNichols has chosen Sweden’s Maja Stark as his player exemption choice with the confidence she can replicate O’Sullivan’s performance from seven years ago. “I am excited to have Maja join us at the Epson Tour Carlisle Arizona Women’s Classic this year,” said McNichols.
“I have known her for a few years now as Longbow Golf Club has hosted the Swedish National team’s practice camp and have been keeping a close eye on her success in tournaments across Europe. I think she has a good chance at winning the tournament, even with the fantastic field we have competing this year. I look forward to watching how everything plays out.”
Stark, a three-time winner on the Ladies European Tour, turned pro in 2021 and has seen much success as a professional. She is currently ranked as the #101 women’s golfer in the world. Before turning pro, she reached as high as the number four ranked amateur globally. Stark competed for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in college where she took home First Team All-American honors after the 2020-2021 season.
Spectators are invited to attend the tournament free of charge. For more information, including sponsorship and advertising inquiries, please call Longbow Golf Club at (480) 807-5400, or email info@longbowgolf.com.
About Longbow Golf Club
Longbow Business Park and Golf Club is a 330-acre, mixed-use development, being developed by Daedalus Real Estate Advisors, that incorporates office, light industrial, retail, hotel and residential uses surrounded by desert vegetation, a main street transportation design and features the award-winning Longbow Golf Club. Troon-managed Longbow Golf Club was originally designed by Ken Kavanaugh in 1997. In 2003, Daedalus commissioned Kavanaugh to execute a complete redesign of the golf course creating a complete refresh layout. For more information, call (480) 807-5400, or visit www.longbowgolf.com.
About the Epson Tour
Founded as the Tampa Bay Mini Tour in 1981, The Epson Tour has grown to be nationwide and, as of 1999, has been designated as the “official development tour” of the LPGA Tour. Tour membership is open to professional women’s golfers and qualified women’s amateurs. The Epson Tour has been promoting women’s golfers to the LPGA Tour each year since 1999. The tour travels all around the country and draws high-quality professionals and amateurs alike. For more information call (386) 274-6200 or visit https://www.epsontour.com/.
About Troon
Longbow Golf Club is professionally managed by Troon. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at 630-plus locations around the globe, including managing 650-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 615-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 45-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, True Club Solutions, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contacts:
Longbow Golf Club
(480) 807-5400
info@longbowgolf.com
The Epson Tour
(386) 274-6200
