By Roy J. Akers- www.skyviewsports.net
Tournaments get stale, just like marraiges and the LPGA has decided to spice things up a bit. The LPGA has announced that they are combining both the LPGA and Epson Tours (the feeder LPGA Tour) for an event that will promote the main and feeder tours at the Highland Meadows Country Club for a tournament that has not announced a presenting sponsor. Highland Meadows has sponsored the LPGA summer event since it wa the Jamie Farr Classic for 28 years and then has seen various sponsors like Marathon and Dana Corp. The LPGA is not afraid to try new things and this tournament will have a format that they hope will have players looking to play the Toledo stop and will certainly give juice to the Epson Tour players. For more, read the following release
Toledo, OH – November 20, 2024 – Toledo Classic, Inc. announced today that it will be bringing a new professional golf tournament to northwest Ohio in 2025. Building upon the LPGA Tour’s legacy in the Toledo community, Toledo Classic has collaborated with the LPGA to bring both the Epson Tour and the Legends of the LPGA together for a dual 54-hole stroke play event. The inaugural tournament will take place the week of July 21-27 at Highland Meadows Golf Club, the site of the past 36 Toledo LPGA tournaments.
Toledo native and 13-time LPGA winner Stacy Lewis has agreed to host the event.
“It’s an honor to lend my name to this event and keep professional golf and the LPGA in Toledo,” stated Lewis. “Most importantly, this event will celebrate our past while preparing our future stars for the LPGA Tour. In addition to the 54-hole tournament, we plan on having events for the Legends players to spend time with the Epson Tour players to take advantage of a great mentorship opportunity. We hope the relationships extend far beyond the week of the tournament. The new event is also a fantastic opportunity for the wonderful golf fans in the Toledo area to come see some familiar faces from the past 40 years!”
“We are eager to bring the Legends of the LPGA together with the future stars of the LPGA in a never been done before format featuring two tournaments at the same time,” stated tournament director Judd Silverman. “After 40 years, we thought it was time to try something different that will bring back many of the players that have competed in Toledo over the years along with the up-and-coming future stars of the LPGA. We’re incredibly grateful to Stacy for agreeing to serve as tournament host. Her exceptional leadership has been on full display the past two years as captain of the U.S. Solheim Cup team. Her presence will be a huge benefit to the younger Epson Tour players.”
The field will feature 102 Epson Tour players and 42 LPGA Legends players who will play with their respective tours for the first two rounds. Following the 36-hole cut, for the final round, the tours will be integrated. An official name for the tournament and purses will be announced at a later date.
Over the years, the tournament has raised $14.3 million for 215 Toledo area children’s charities. In keeping with past tradition, all of the net proceeds from the Legends/Epson Tour event will be distributed to several Toledo area children’s charities.
Jody Brothers, Chief Business & Operations Officer of the Epson Tour said, “To be able to play a tournament in Toledo, with its rich LPGA history, is a tremendous honor and opportunity for the athletes of the Epson Tour,” said Brothers. “Joining the Legends of the LPGA in this unique tournament format provides an incredible opportunity for our athletes to observe and learn from some of the best to have ever played the game. It’s going to be a great week for women’s professional golf.”
“Since 1984, the LPGA has cherished our time in the Toledo area, and we are excited to build on our historic and impactful partnership with Toledo Classic, Inc, and the Toledo community. Creating an event featuring the Epson Tour players and the Legends of the LPGA will not only be magical for our fans and sponsors but will be highly beneficial to the past greats of the game and the stars of the future,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “As we celebrate our 75th anniversary in 2025, we are thrilled to see this tournament come to life in what is sure to be a true celebration of women’s professional golf.”
This event marks the first time Epson and Legends Tours have partnered to focus on mentorship and competition. All proceeds will benefit northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan children’s charities.