The Epson Tour is set to make its third of four stops on the Midwest stretch, the Island Resort Championship. This unique tournament, held in Harris, Michigan, is a player favorite, offering a range of off-course events for the athletes to enjoy. The picturesque Sweetgrass Golf Club provides a challenging track that hones the players' skills, preparing them for the LPGA Tour. Mark your calendars for June 21-23 and discover these five unique aspects of the 2024 Island Resort Championship:

Tseng Defends Title

Tsai Ching Tseng returns to the Island Resort Championship to defend her title, which isn’t always common on the Epson Tour. The 24-year-old received an exemption into the 2023 tournament based on her performance on the TLPGA and was able to take membership after her win. So far in 2024, Tseng has made one cut in six starts but could find some magic at Sweetgrass Golf Course once again.

The Bassters Tournament Sees Another Year

Part of what makes the Island Resort Championship a player favorite is the extracurricular activities it hosts for the players to spend some time off the golf course. One of those events is “The Bassters,” a fishing tournament held on the 15th green. Each year, athletes line up hours before registration opens to sign up for the first-come, first-served activity. Prizes are awarded to the two-person team with the most fish caught and the biggest.

Four Former Island Resort Champions Tee it Up

The Island Resort Championship is a tournament that sees many past champions return each year, proving the value of the tournament on the schedule. This year, four former champions, Kim Kaufman, Emma Talley and Daniela Iacobelli and Tsai Ching Tseng will tee it up, each hoping to add another Island Resort Championship title to their impressive golfing resumes. These women, who won the beloved tournament in Harris, Mich., in 2013, 2017, 2019 and 2023, respectively. Read more about Daniela Iacobelli, one of the past champions, HERE.

Who Will be the First to Two Wins in 2024?

The chance of becoming the first athlete to get their second win in 2024 is on the line for seven players this week. So far, each tournament has seen a different champion, with five countries represented among those winners. Valery Plata, Jessica Peng, Briana Chacon, Juliana Hung, Madison Young, Fiona Xu and Savannah Vilaubi will tee it up at Sweetgrass Golf Course looking for a second win and another 500 points in the Race for the Card.

Gabby Lemieux and Gabriella DeGasperis Receive Sponsor Exemptions

Two sponsor exemptions were given out for the Island Resort Championship, allowing Gabby Lemieux and Gabriella DeGasperis to tee it up amongst some of the best women golfers in the world. Lemieux is no stranger to the Epson Tour, making her debut in 2018 and competing for six seasons. The 27-year-old, unfortunately, lost her status in 2023 but proved through her made-cut and T48 result as a sponsor exemption at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship that she still has what it takes to compete on the Epson Tour. DeGasperis is the only amateur competing and is the youngest in the field at only 16 years old. Known as Gabby Golf Girl on social media, the influencer is making her mark on the game of golf while growing it for the women’s side. This will be her Epson Tour debut.

Five Things to Know About the 2024 Island Resort Championship

Related Articles