Vicki LaFave photo Pictured are two of the happy volunteers, Tressa and Jeff Derkos, who helped at this year's Epson Tour Road to the LPGA Golf Tournament at Sweetgrass Golf Club. Hundreds of people gave up their time to volunteer at this event.

HARRIS — The Epson Tour’s Road to the LPGA Golf Tournament, hosted by the Island Resort’s Sweetgrass Golf Course, held June 24 through 26, was a huge success, thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, workers and golfers who made the event happen. The newly named Epson Tour (formerly Symetra Tour) hosted 156 players from all over the world.

Over 200 volunteers gave their time in numerous roles, from cart drivers, score recorders, course marshals, spotters, runners, hospitality workers, to any other request made by the Island Resort and Casino or Epson tour staff.

Delta Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vickie Micheau is grateful for everyone who played a part in the success of the Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass, which is an official qualifying tournament of the LPGA.

“On behalf of the Chamber Board of Directors and staff, we would like to thank our dedicated volunteers and supportive community members,” Micheau said. “They help to make the tournament one of the best for the extraordinary women golfers who are pursuing their dream of playing on the LPGA Tour.”

With that huge incentive plus an increased purse of $212,500, fans enjoyed the Epson Tour’s top talent. 

The week started with the ever-popular Epson Tour Pro-Am on Wednesday and Thursday, June 22 and 23, giving sponsors a chance to play with Epson contestants on the manicured Sweetgrass Golf Course.

In this year’s tournament, Chinese Taipei’s Ssu-Chia Cheng finished first with a 17-under-par final score (with rounds of 68 – 64 – 67), and took home $31,875 for her winnings. South Korea’s Jiwon Jeon took second with a $19,853 prize, and Haylee Harford (USA), Michaela Finn (Sweden), Clariss Guce (Philippines) and Emilee Hoffman (USA) all ended their tournament at 10-under in a four-way tie for third, taking home $10,547 each.

Vice President of Operations for the Epson Tour Kathy Lawrence said it was a pleasure to be back at Sweetgrass and the Island Resort and Casino.

“It was a great week at a tremendous facility. The convenience of this venue is exceptional–with the hotel, driving range, and of course, the championship golf course right onsite. The players were able to take advantage of all of the amenities at one location. And the hospitality–from the whole Island Resort and Casino staff — from General Manager Tony Mancilla to the entire Island Resort team — never ceases to amaze me. Every year, they do it better and better!

“When we train different tournament staff members, we go on what is done at the Island Resort and Casino Sweetgrass Tournament,” Lawrence added. “We absolutely could not run this tournament without the volunteers; every position that we need is covered.

“The best thing is that Chamber staff gets a tremendous amount of great volunteers–and they never say no,” she continued. “They come with a smile, which makes our jobs easier [for the Epson tour staff members]. I think Vickie, Sheila, Terrie, Ed, and the rest of the team do the hard part. Over 200 volunteers is not a number that we normally hit, so kudos to the Chamber team! I see many of the same smiling faces year in and year out who come out to volunteer and watch the great women athletes play this game, so that’s awesome!”

Tony Mancilla, General Manager of the Island Resort & Casino, says he and his staff were thrilled to have hosted the tournament at the award-winning Sweetgrass Golf Club for the 11th time.

“We are very excited to have supported the women’s game by hosting the official qualifying tour of the LPGA each and every year through the Island Resort Championship. A large part of that excitement was increasing the tournament purse to $212,500 this year.”

Micheau reiterated how grateful she is for the generosity of staff, sponsors, volunteers, and community members. “Again, we at the Chamber would like to say thank you to the Hannahville Indian Community and the Island Resort and Casino for hosting this exceptional event, and all of our volunteers and staff members who worked so hard to make this tournament a success–and work every day to make this area a more robust place to live, work, visit….and golf!