MESA, Ariz. – The 132-player field for the second annual Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic from March 17-20 was finalized by the Epson Tour late Wednesday, as the “Road to the LPGA” returns to the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and Longbow Golf Club in Mesa next week.

Individuals will compete in a 72-hole, stroke-play format for $250,000, tied for the second-highest purse this season (Epson Tour Championship). A cut will be made to the top-60 competitors plus ties after 36 holes. Tournament admission is free.

Two tournament sponsor exemptions highlight the field in Betsy Kelly and Olivia Mehaffey, an Arizona State University alumna and Carlisle Companies Inc. ambassador. Kelly last competed on the Epson Tour in 2017, while Mehaffey made two starts last year and is a 2022 rookie on tour.

“I’m so proud to represent Carlisle and beyond thankful for this opportunity,” said Mehaffey. “I do have status on the Epson Tour, but it would not have allowed me to get in several of the early events to begin the year. I really enjoy the challenge of Longbow Golf Club and had good results in this tournament last season, so hoping to replicate it this time around.”

Three additional former Sun Devils will join Mehaffey in Maricopa County including Roberta Liti of Italy, and Swedes Louise Stahle and Linnea Strom. The University of Arizona is also well-represented with Gigi Stoll, Haley Moore and Alejandra Llaneza among the competitors, and Grand Canyon University has one representative as well in Chorphaka Jaengkit.

“It’s always great to return to Arizona and compete near my ASU stomping grounds,” said Liti. “I’m very familiar with the area and it’s very special to be back as a professional. The memories are abundant, and I hope to create even more at Longbow for the Carlisle Golf Classic.”

Rounding out the field is Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic defending champion Ruixin Liu. An Epson Tour ambassador—one of six in the field—and two-time Epson Tour graduate, Liu will primarily compete on the LPGA Tour in 2022. Every season, the top 10 on the Race for the Card money list graduate from the Epson Tour earn LPGA Tour membership for the following year.

“Epson has provided so much to grow the Epson Tour. Bigger prize funds are an even greater incentive and enhances the strength of the field, which prepares us even more for when we tee it up on the LPGA Tour,” Liu said. “I’m honored to be an Epson Tour ambassador and showcase all that Epson is doing to grow the game. The Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic is going to be a great test with the depth of talent in the field.”

Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic Field Finalized

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