By Mike May
The Epson Tour has two new events on its schedule this year and one of them is being held at Otter Creek in Columbus, June 14-16.
The Otter Creek Championship will showcase the next generation of female golfers and will feature Indiana golfers. Zionsville’s Annabelle Pancake, Greenwood’s Erica Shepherd, and Westfield’s Cailyn Henderson are scheduled to compete.
The Otter Creek Championship is one of five Epson Tour events with at least a $300,000 purse, making it one of the top Epson Tour events.
“We are excited to bring the Otter Creek Championship to Otter Creek Golf Course and give the amazing golf fans of Columbus and surrounding areas a chance to witness the future of the LPGA up close,” said Austin Wright, Director of Golf, Otter Creek. “This golf course was made to host high-level championships and will provide an unparalleled experience for the Epson Tour players and the Otter Creek Golf community.”
“Adding Otter Creek Golf Course to our ground-breaking 2024 Epson Tour schedule was a no-brainer, given the course’s storied history of amateur championship golf,” said Keith Newton, Epson Tour Senior Director of Tournament Business Affairs. “We are confident it will present a test for the Epson Tour’s top golfers while celebrating its incredible and supportive community in Columbus, Indiana.”
The Otter Creek Golf Course, the only Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design in Indiana, is a championship public golf course which is consistently ranked as one of the best in the country, since opening in 1964. Otter Creek has hosted nearly 300 amateur events and championship events during its 60-year history, but this will be the first professional event at Otter Creek in more than 25 years.
More than 100 volunteers are needed to ensure the event’s success, with roles that include scoring, player services, and tournament operations. The volunteer registration fee is $60. Each volunteer will receive a tournament T-shirt, free parking, complimentary food and beverage, and behind-the-ropes access to the LPGA Tour’s future stars.
Additionally, fans will have two opportunities to play with the pros. Monday, June 10, the Harrison Lake Country Club’s “Ladies Only” Pro-Am will be held. The event features a nine-hole scramble, refreshments, and a clinic with Epson Tour players.
On Thursday, June 13, teams of three golfers will play and learn alongside the lady pros who are competing in the Otter Creek Championship. Teams of three will enjoy 18 holes at Otter Creek Golf Club, complete with meals, drinks, custom gifts, and tickets to the “Meet the Pros” dinner held on Wednesday, June 12.
General admission is free to the public.
As a testament to its commitment to the community, proceeds from the 2024 Otter Creek Championship will directly benefit Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, the event’s charitable beneficiary.
The Epson Tour is the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA. In the last decade, it has grown to 20 events offering over $5 million in total purses.
For more information on volunteering, joining a Pro-Am team, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact thegolfshop@ottercreekgolf.com. More details on the 2024 Otter Creek Championship can be found at www.ottercreekgolf.com/2024-otter-creek-championship.
