Future Stars of LPGA Hitting the Course in Beaumont

LPGA players are in town at Beaumont’s Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon beginning Feb. 27. Courtesy photo.

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The following news release was submitted for publication on behalf of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians:

The best up-and-coming female professional golfers from across the globe will take to the links at The Volvik Championship, being hosted for the first time by the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon on Feb. 27-March 1.

With a $100,000 purse, the tournament is part of the Symetra Tour, the official qualifying Tour of the LPGA. The 120 golfers slated to compete hail from 38 different states and 33 countries around the world, and include top Southern California talent such as Selanee Henderson of Apple Valley, University of Arizona sophomore Wanasa Zhou, who graduated from Mesa Grande Academy in Calimesa, former UCLA star Ani Gulugian of Irvine, and Brianna Do of Lakewood, and among others.

“The quality of play from these young women is virtually indistinguishable from players on the LPGA Tour, and most are just a stroke or two from making the jump,” said Tim Forbes, the tournament director. “Every year, 15 or 20 of the Symetra Tour players move up to the LPGA and some have gone on to become household names.”

Players who have made the leap to the LPGA Tour include Mo Martin, the 2014 RICOH Women’s British Open champion; Inbee Park, currently ranked No. 2 in the world by Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings; and former world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa.

Officials at Tukwet Canyon said hosting the tournament offers a great opportunity to showcase the championship course and the community of Beaumont.

“We are extremely excited and honored to be hosting the next generation of LPGA stars from across the world as they compete at the Volvik Championship” said Tom Gustafson, general manager of the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon. “With 36 world class holes, our course will provide both a challenging and beautiful venue for the talented Symetra Tour players.

The event is one of several that Tukwet Canyon has the pleasure of hosting. The course is also the regional home for the Southern California PGA, and host to the SCPGA Professional Championship.

“Tukwet Canyon is a fantastic course and was built specifically to host elite play,” Forbes said.