Mike Mattson | Daily Press Jordy LaBarbera celebrates a successful long putt on the 18th green Friday.

HARRIS — The Eighth Annual Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass is off and running with an even better future in place.

Tony Mancilla, General Manager of Island Resort and Casino, said next year’s purse will be increased from $175,000 to $200,000 and a two-year extension has been signed by Island Resort to continue the tournament through 2021.

In addition, the top two finishers in next year’s tournament will automatically qualify for the Evian Championship in France, which is one of the five LPGA Tour major tournaments.

The increased purse and exemptions to the Evian Championship should make the 2019 Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass the place to be on the Symetra Tour.

“We are very excited about it,” Mancilla said about the recent developments. “I just think it makes us probably the top event on the (Symetra) Tour now. We have the golf course and we have everything in place. Now, we have a really large purse and we get the exemptions.”

Mancilla also said the local tourney field will increase next year by 12 players to 156.

“Generally, the LPGA players that are trying to get into the majors will drop down and play that event, so we will get a real strong, strong field next year,” he said.

Mancilla was out on the course viewing Friday’s first round, which was played in great conditions — sunny, warm and gentle breezes.

“It’s beautiful out here,” he said near the 11th tee box. “It’s going to be beautiful all weekend. And it will be a very competitive tournament out here. There are a lot of good players. They get better every year.”

LaBarbera shoots 2-over

It’s no surprise Jordy LaBarbera of Allen, Texas had a big following on the course Friday. LaBarbera’s grandfather is the late Andy LaBarbera, a former Marinette High School coach and long-time participant at Upper Peninsula Golf Association men’s tournaments.

Jordy LaBarbera, a University of Arkansas senior and exempt player in the tourney, shot 2-over 74.

“I am a little bit disappointed,” said LaBarbera, whose father Ross serves as her caddy. I know I could have done better than that. Putting was a little bit of a struggle today, so I know if I get that figured out by tomorrow I will be just fine.”

LaBarbera estimates today’s cut will be around even par, so she knows she will have to make a few more birdies. She is familiar with Sweetgrass Golf Club and hopes to play a better round today.

“It’s in perfect condition,” she said about Sweetgrass. “So every shot you hit there is nothing to blame, but yourself if you hit it bad. I just really love playing on these great conditions and love this course. The fairways are not too skinny and not too wide. I think it just fits me pretty well.”