The Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic is a tournament on the Epson Tour, the LPGA's developmental tour. It was first played in 2013 and was held at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona through 2023.[1] In 2024, the event moved to TPC Scottsdale (Champions Course) in Scottsdale, Arizona.
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Scottsdale, Arizona |
| Established | 2021 |
| Course(s) | TPC Scottsdale Champions Course |
| Par | 71 |
| Length | 6,439 yards (5,888 m) |
| Tour(s) | Epson Tour |
| Format | Stroke play |
| Prize fund | $400,000 |
| Month played | May |
| Current champion | |
 Ruixin Liu | |
History
editFor 2013 and 2014, the title sponsor of the tournament was VisitMesa.com, the official website of the Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau. Former Arizona State player Jaclyn Sweeney won the inaugural tournament, closing with birdies in three of the last four holes in windy conditions for a two-stroke victory. She also received a spot in the LPGA Founders Cup.[2]
The tournament was a 54-hole event, as were most Epson Tour tournaments, and included pre-tournament pro-am opportunities, in which local amateur golfers can play with the professional golfers from the Tour.[3]
In 2015, at 16 years, 9 months, 11 days, Hannah O'Sullivan became the youngest player win on the Epson Tour. The age mark was previously held by Cristie Kerr, who won the 1995 Ironwood Futures Classic in Florida at the age of 17. She also become just the third woman to win on the LPGA Tour or the Epson Tour before her 17th birthday, the only other women to win as a 16-year-old are Lydia Ko and Lexi Thompson.[4]
In 2021 Carlisle Companies became title sponsor and play was extended to 72 holes. Ruixin Liu of China and 17-year-old amateur Rose Zhang finished 17-under par after 72-holes. Both made par on the first playoff-hole, but on the next hole Zhang's second shot found the desert left of the fairway and she had to take an unplayable. Liu made a birdie to win her fifth Symetra Tour title.[5]
In 2022 players competed for $250,000, tied with the Epson Tour Championship for the second-highest purse of the season.[6]
Tournament names through the years:
- 2013: VisitMesa.com Gateway Classic
- 2014: Visit Mesa Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club
- 2015: Gateway Classic
- 2017: Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club
- 2020: Founders Tribute at Longbow
- 2021–2024: Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic
Winners
edit| Year | Date | Winner | Country | Score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up | Purse ($) | Winner's share ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Mar 12 | Ruixin Liu | China |
270 (−14) | 3 strokes |  Mariel Galdiano |
400,000 | 60,000 |
| 2023 | Mar 19 | Gabriela Ruffels |  Australia |
270 (−18) | 2 strokes | Kathleen Scavo |
335,000 | 50,250 |
| 2022 | Mar 20 | Fátima Fernández Cano |  Spain |
271 (−17) | 3 strokes |  Sofia Garcia Dani Holmqvist Laura Restrepo |
250,000 | 37,500 |
| 2021 | Mar 21 | Ruixin Liu | China |
271 (−17) | Playoff | Rose Zhang (a) |
200,000 | 30,000 |
| 2020 | Aug 16 | Sarah White |  United States |
201 (−15) | 1 stroke | Casey Danielson Sophia Popov |
125,000 | 18,750 |
| 2018–19: No tournament | ||||||||
| 2017 | Apr 1 | Liv Cheng |  New Zealand |
209 (−7) | Playoff | Mina Harigae |
100,000 | 15,000 |
| 2016: No tournament | ||||||||
| 2015 | Feb 22 | Hannah O'Sullivan (a) | United States |
201 (−15) | 4 strokes | Haley Italia |
100,000 | 15,000 |
| 2014 | Feb 23 | Alena Sharp |  Canada |
204 (−12) | 2 strokes | Marissa Steen |
100,000 | 15,000 |
| 2013 | Feb 24 | Jaclyn Sweeney | United States |
209 (−7) | 2 strokes | Alena Sharp |
100,000 | 15,000 |
Tournament records
edit| Year | Player | Score | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Sophia Popov | 63 (–9) | 2nd |
References
edit- ^ "Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic". Epson Tour. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ "Jaclyn Sweeney wins Symetra Tour event". AP News. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ "VisitMesa.com Gateway Classic Pro-Am Opportunity" (PDF). VisitMesa.com. Retrieved March 18, 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "History, Hannah O'Sullivan Wins the Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club". LPGA Tour. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ "Ruixin Liu holds off No. 1 amateur Rose Zhang to win Symetra Tour title in Arizona". Golfweek. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ "Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic Field Finalized". Epson Tour. Retrieved March 16, 2022.