‘Road to the LPGA’ runs through Wildhorse
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
MISSION – The Epson Tour, known as the Road to the LPGA, is making a stop at the Wildhorse Golf Course Sept. 2-4. The Wildhorse Ladies Classic will be the 17th stop on this year’s schedule and will feature professional female golfers from all over the United States and more than 40 countries.
This is the 42nd consecutive season of the Epson Tour, which annually awards its top 10 players with LPGA membership for the following season. Past tour graduates include Olympic Gold Medalist Nelly Korda, as well as major champions Hannah Green and Patty Tavatanakit. The 2022 season features record-setting purse totals as well as the largest single-event prize in its history.
“Wildhorse Resort & Casino and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are excited to showcase and welcome some of the most talented young professional golfers from around the world to our Tribal and local communities,” Wildhorse Chief Executive Officer Gary George said.
Wildhorse has committed to host the tournament for at least two years. That will mean bringing an estimated 2,000 visitors to the area each time. Event staff and volunteers as well as the golfers themselves will begin to arrive in Pendleton days before the tournament week.
The main e4vent is preceded by two Pro-Am tournaments beginning Aug. 31. Amateur golfers will team with professionals from the tour to compete in a scramble also at Wildhorse. The tour members then play Sept. 2-3 and the final round occurs on Sept. 4.
“This event aligns with the Tribes’ efforts to provide meaningful opportunities for Tribal youth and to grow the game of golf in our region,” George said.
The Epson Tour is hosted by other Tribal venues throughout the season, including Circling Raven Golf Club in Idaho and Morongo Golf Club in California. The tournaments often feature events for young golfers who are interested in pursuing the game.
The Wildhorse Ladies Classic will be seeking about 150 volunteers to help with a multitude of tasks. Those include live scoring, help with parking, ticket distribution, acting as marshals and spotters, helping VIPs and vendors, and providing housing for competitors. Those who are interested in volunteering can register and find more information at https://www.wildhorseresort.com/resort/golf/tournaments/
