In a significant development for women's golf, Epson America, Inc. has been announced as the new title sponsor of the LPGA's official qualifying tour, which will now be known as the Epson Tour. This five-year agreement, which became effective immediately, will extend through 2026, marking the beginning of a new era for the esteemed tour.
The Epson Tour, now entering its 42nd year, has established itself as the most prominent women's qualifying tour globally. "This groundbreaking partnership will provide expanded opportunities for the future stars of the game from around the globe to test their talent and take one step closer to realizing their dreams," said LPGA Tour commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan.
One of the key aspects of the Epson Tour is its commitment to awarding LPGA Tour membership to the top-10 players on the Race for the Card money list at the end of each season. This adds significant stakes for athletes participating in the tour, as they compete not only for prize money but also for a chance to play at the highest level of women's professional golf.
At the forefront of the new sponsorship is a mission to support and empower young female golfers. Laura Penney, CEO of Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership and its alignment with the objectives of the Circling Raven Championship, which will be hosted in August at the renowned Circling Raven Golf Club in Idaho. "It’s encouraging and exciting to have Epson support the tour, women golfers, and the Circling Raven Championship," Penney stated.
The inaugural Circling Raven Championship, held last August, offered competitors a purse of $200,000, positioning it among the top payouts on the former Symetra Tour. With Epson at the helm, the tour is expected to feature higher purses and additional support for players transitioning to the LPGA Tour.
Epson's initiatives include a 10% reduction in entry fees per tournament for each player throughout the season, potentially saving individual golfers up to $1,000 over the year. This financial ease is part of a broader commitment by Epson to foster a diverse and inclusive environment, as they plan to collaborate with at least four other companies to further lower entry fees through a public challenge.
The sponsorship landscape is vital for the Epson Tour and related tournaments. The previous Circling Raven Championship featured sponsorship from various regional and national companies, reflecting a strong community interest in supporting women's golf.
For those interested in the upcoming 2022 Circling Raven Championship, sponsor opportunities are currently available. For more information, individuals can contact the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel and Circling Raven directly at 1.800.523.2464 or visit their official website.
As the Epson Tour prepares for the new season, the golf community is eager to see how this partnership will unfold and impact the future trajectory of women's golf.
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*Originally published on [Golf News Global](https://golfnews.global/article/epson-takes-over-sponsorship-of-women-s-lpga-qualifying-tour). Visit for full coverage.*
