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Symetra heads to Sweetgrass

Dennis Grall photo Symetra Tour rookie Casey Danielson, left, and Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass co-director Tony Mancilla share a laugh on the first green Tuesday during a media day practice round for the June 21-23 tournament.

HARRIS — The Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass enters its ninth edition next month, and Tuesday media members learned how much the event has meant to the Symetra Tour.

Tim Kramer, in his fifth year as a Symetra official, said in an exclusive interview that “they (Island Resort & Casino) are tremendous partners of ours. They really influence a lot from the women’s golf standpoint.

“Island Resort is a driver (on the tour). Their event has challenged other events. It is important to have the schedule serve as a bellweather event.”

Kramer said the IRC events have set a high standard for other tournaments to follow, noting he tells other venues to take the lead of the Island Resort format. He said the quality of Sweetgrass Golf Club, the hospitality of IRC officials, the volunteers, tourney leadership, the lodging at the casino or with local families, etc., are among the ingredients that have made this event so tremendous.

Kramer said the course conditions, which were soaked by Monday’s lengthy rain, are excellent for the tournament “and the greens will be pure. You are rewarded for good shots and you are penalized for bad shots. It is all a good experience.”

When Kramer speaks with officials at other tourney venues – there are 24 events this year – “we brag about everything about this tournament. How important this event is for the community.”

Kramer noted how the Symetra Tour has grown since it arrived in the Upper Peninsula, citing purses that have increased to a record $4 million plus (from $20,000 in 1988) and eight of the 24 events are in the midwest. When Symetra arrived here nine years ago, this was the only venue in the midwest.

The Potawatomi Cup has also been established, with the top point-getter from the four events hosted by the tribes receiving $6,000 of the $40,000 purse.

“The growth of both (IRC and Symetra Tour) are kind of parallel,” said Kramer.

In a talk to the assembled media after lunch, Kramer said the IRC “has made a lot of strides over the years and puts together a first-class event. They can do it right.”

Tony Mancilla, co-chairman with Sue Harris, said the tourney “is our showcase event.. This brings a lot of excitement and energy to the area.”

Mancilla noted five former IRC champions are now playing on the LPGA Tour.

The top 10 money winners at season’s end advance to the LPGA Tour. This year the top two finishers here receive an automatic entry to the Evian Championship in France, one of the LPGA’s five majors, which is expected to bring a stronger field here June 21-23. The field has also increased by 12 players, to 156 women.

One of the entrants will be Casey Danielson, who was a guest here Tuesday. The former Stanford University golfer helped her team claim the NCAA championship in 2015. She tied for fourth here last year, just two strokes behind champion Ruixin Liu, and is ranked 21st after eight events this year with $20,948.

“I’m getting more confidence and experience playing in tournaments,” Danielson said before the media swarm arrived. “I’m getting better each week and I’m learning how to play on the tour and learning how to schedule (events).”

She said earning an exemption into the 2018 field was a boost to her career as she learned “I can compete out here. I know how to get it done. I have the game, I just have to find it (consistently).”

Two players have received exemptions this year, Michigan State University sophomore Yurika Tanida of Japan and Pratima Sherpa, who is hoping to become the first professional golfer from Nepal.

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