CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Southern Utah’s golf landscape is about to evolve in a major way with the arrival of the fourth annual Copper Rock Championship and Utah’s first-ever LPGA Senior Championship in back-to-back weeks. And it’s all happening next month at Copper Rock Golf Course in Hurricane.
“It’s two weeks of professional women’s golf at the highest level, and you get to see it all right here in Southern Utah,” event coordinator Penny James-Garcia said. “It’s a double-header of events not to be missed by anyone who is a fan of golf, because these ladies are the past, present and future stars of the LPGA.”
The Copper Rock Championship, a sanctioned event on the LPGA’s developmental Epson Tour, is set for May 16-18, followed immediately by the LPGA Senior Championship on May 23-25. While the Copper Rock Championship highlights ambitious young golfers chasing their dream of earning LPGA membership, the LPGA Senior Championship will showcase the enduring talents of legends of the game. An international field of approximately 75 players will compete for their share of a $400,000 purse, with $60,000 going to the winner.
The draw is led by Angela Stanford, winner of the 2023 LPGA Senior Championship and two other titles on the Legends tour. Stanford launched her career on the Epson Tour (then known as the LPGA Futures Tour) back in 2000, winning the season-ending event to earn LPGA membership. She has played on six Solheim Cup teams and holds seven LPGA titles, including one major at the 2018 Evian Championship.
“The LPGA has done a great job of growing the game, and I hope people come out and watch,” Stanford said. “Anytime you can showcase women’s golf, either amateur or professional, and you have women and girls who want to come out and watch, that’s good for the game.”
Southern Utah golf fans will also have the opportunity to watch trailblazing champions like Laura Davies, the first woman to win on all three major tours (the LPGA, the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA of Japan Tour) in the same season. In 1994, Davies became the first golfer, male or female, to win on five different golf tours in the same year. She holds 87 titles, including four majors, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2015.
Prior to finding success on the Legends tour, including winning the 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, Jill McGill etched her name in history as the 1993 U.S. Women’s Amateur and 1994 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links champion. She joins Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, JoAnne Carner and Carol Semple Thompson as the only players to win three different USGA championships.
Juli Inkster, a name synonymous with golf greatness, has also committed to play at Copper Rock. A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Inkster has seven majors and 31 LPGA titles as well as the most Solheim Cup match wins of any American. She’s the only golfer in LPGA history to win multiple majors in three consecutive decades.
Cristie Kerr, who recently became eligible to join the Legends tour, will be making her first appearance in an LPGA Senior Championship. Kerr has won 20 LPGA titles, including two majors, and played on nine Solheim Cup teams.
Other notable names in this year’s field include Hollis Stacy, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame who holds 18 LPGA titles, including four majors, and Sherri Steinhauer, who has won multiple majors on both the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour.
Copper Rock will host a qualifying tournament on May 20, with the top two professionals and the top amateur receiving entry into the LPGA Senior Championship later that week. Nuny Kham-One Khamken, the 2023 Utah State Women’s Senior Amateur Championship winner, will also be eligible to play through a sponsor exemption.
Additionally, Utah’s current first lady Abby Cox and former first lady Jeanette Herbert will be playing in the senior championship pro-am during tournament week, and Cox will address the guests of the pro-am luncheon following the event.
“This is a big deal,” James-Garcia said. “Having this championship here is something recognized at the highest levels of our state, and we’re amazingly honored to welcome our first ladies.”
The LPGA Senior Championship is one of two major tournaments organized annually by Legends of the LPGA, the official senior tour of the LPGA. Legends of the LPGA was established in 2000 to provide competitive opportunities for LPGA Tour professionals and eligible amateurs ages 45 and over. The tour’s membership, which includes 15 LPGA Hall of Fame and World Golf Hall of Fame members, have collectively earned over 750 LPGA Tour victories, including 84 majors.
“This is the first major golf event of any tour played in Utah,” James-Garcia said. “Spread the word, and let’s show these ladies that Utah loves women’s golf!”
As a proud member of the local community, the Copper Rock Championship is committed to making a lasting impact on Southern Utah. This year, they’re asking golf fans to help them give back by participating in Birdies Fore Charity, a fundraising initiative that benefits Hurricane City’s future Veterans Memorial Park and the Dove Center, a nonprofit organization aiding survivors of domestic violence.
Supporters can pledge 50 cents, $1 or $2 for every birdie scored during one or both tournaments, which typically average over 500 birdies each. 100% of donations will go directly to this year’s charity recipients. Click here to take the pledge and make a difference.
Experience thrilling back-to-back weeks of professional women’s golf at Copper Rock, with tickets starting at just $15 for general admission to both tournaments. Visit CopperRockChampionship.com to reserve your spot and learn more.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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