The tournament will bring the tour to Northern Utah and boast the largest purse in Epson Tour history; season total prize money increases to $5M.
The Epson Tour is thrilled to announce details for a tournament that is new to the schedule in 2023. The Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA will return to Utah from September 7-9, playing the Black Desert Resort Championship at Soldier Hollow Golf Club in Salt Lake City.
The tournament will boast the largest purse in Epson Tour history at $375,000, awarding the winner with $56,250. The record-breaking purse is $40,000 more than other tournaments on the 2023 schedule.
“Closing the pay gap between the men’s and women’s professional game is one of our highest priorities and we are thrilled that Black Desert Resort has stepped up to offer the highest purse in the history of the Epson Tour,” said Jody Brothers, the Epson Tour’s Chief Business and Operating Officer.
“I know the Athletes are going to be excited to be coming to Salt Lake this fall and playing for such a substantial payout, which undoubtedly will play an important role in the final standings of the Epson Tour Race for the Card.”
Largest purse available just five events before the end of the season
Due to placement on the schedule, the tournament was already set to be a crucial week for the athletes on the Epson Tour. Falling just five events before the top 10 players earn LPGA Tour Cards and achieve lifelong dreams, every penny counts. With the largest purse of the season on the table in the home stretch, any athlete’s dreams could be made a reality.
“Our event is positioned in a great way, as the battle for an LPGA Tour card starts to heat up at the end of the season,” said Championship Director David Viveiros. “There is a shared vision with ownership from the beginning to have the largest purse on the LPGA Epson Tour. Black Desert Resort’s message is that we want to offer the best resort to our patrons, while at the same time supporting women’s professional golf in an unprecedented way in the state of Utah.”
Season total of $5 million
The Epson Tour will now play for a season total of $5 million, with an average purse size of just over $227K. Before announcing the official purse for the Black Desert Resort Championship, the tour was playing for $4.9M and an average purse of $223,000.
“It’s great, especially at the end of the season. It’s a five-week stretch, a long stretch, so this really makes you reconsider your choices to make,” said Sophie Hausmann, who has won once on the Epson Tour and is in pursuit of her 2024 LPGA Tour card.
“The season is long. Even if you have a good start, it’s all about how you finish, so it’s super exciting and great to have someone who supports us and wants to make a statement. I hope other tournament sponsors see it and keep moving that way.”
Find out more about the Epson Tour by visiting their website here.
