Earning a sponsor exemption at an Epson Tour tournament is like hitting the lottery for some athletes. The exemptions often go to local aspiring or new professional golfers looking to get their start in the big leagues. Other times, the spot is offered to an athlete who would not otherwise gain entry into the field.

The Central Florida Championship is the former, offering exemptions to Florida natives Darby Hancock and Maisie Filler. Hancock is an aspiring professional, a May 2025 graduate of Kathleen High School, and is committed to Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla. Filler, on the other hand, is a University of Florida graduate who is looking to start her professional debut strong in Winter Haven.

Here's more to know about the 2025 Central Florida Championship sponsor exemptions:

Darby Hancock, 17 – Lakeland, Fla.

May 2025 Kathleen High School graduate
Committed to play collegiate golf at Florida Southern College
This is her first professional tournament
She is one of three amateurs in the field
Hancock won the 2023 Girls 3A State Golf Championship
She is a three-time The Ledger’s Player of the Year

Hancock on playing as a Lakeland native:

“It’s so amazing because I’m going to have a lot of people come out to support me that are very close to here. A lot of people from my club at Eagle Brooke are coming out to support me. My family is coming out to support me. Even other people around my school area are coming out. So it’ll be nice to have that support system, knowing that they know what I can do and achieve, but they’re still going to be proud of me no matter what.”

Maisie Filler, 23 – Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Played collegiate golf at the University of Florida and graduated in May 2024
She was a four-time SEC Golfer of the Week (two weeks in 2023 and two in 2024)
She was a three-time All-SEC honoree
Competed in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally as an amateur and missed the cut
Won the 2024 Connecticut Women’s Amateur and Moon Golf Invitational
Best ranking in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) was 26th

Filler on receiving the sponsor exemption:

“It means a lot. I feel very grateful that they saw my talent and who I can be as a player. Just to get any opportunity to play and get invites to things and take advantage of those is huge, especially as a rookie out here. I’m just really grateful to have the opportunity to learn from the veterans out here.”

Meet the Sponsor Exemptions: 2025 Central Florida Championship

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