Sweetgrass Golf Club to Host LPGA Symetra Tour for Three More Years

Tribal Council Approves New Contract for Island Resort Championship

(HARRIS, Mich.) – Sweetgrass Golf Club (www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com) at the Island Resort & Casino renewed a three-year contract with the LPGA Symetra Tour – Road to the LPGA, extending the annual professional golf tournament in Michigan through 2016.

The Hannahville Indian Community tribal council confirmed the decision last week, along with an approval to increase the total purse by $10,000, to $125,000 annually.

“The event puts a spotlight on the beauty and uniqueness of the course which many players regard as the best stop on the circuit,” says Tribal Council Chair Ken Mesigaud. “Having a professional golf tournament in the region brings excitement to the community and the response from volunteers and sponsors has been overwhelming.”

Sweetgrass has hosted the Island Resort Championship for the past three years.  Success of the tournament can be attributed to significant regional support, evidenced in year-over-year sellouts in corporate hospitality and pro-am sponsorships and an average of 4,500 spectators annually.

More than 300 volunteers serve as caddies, scoreboard attendants and fill other necessary roles to operate the championship each year, and nearly 100 open their homes to host golfers during tournament week.

In addition over 50 non-profit organizations have participated in the widely successful ticket program, selling three-day grounds passes and keeping the funds for their local causes.

“Partnerships between the Island Resort, the Hannahville Band, Delta County, the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin make this event possible,” says Susan Harris, tournament co-chair.  “We feel honored to welcome back these incredible athletes for another three years.”

Sweetgrass Golf Club has continued to see growth in both golf rounds and overnight package sales since hosting the tournament in 2010, and has benefited from national exposure to the golf course and community. The region’s economic impact can be seen in increased revenue from local shops, hotels and restaurants.

"The course is gorgeous and a good challenge for us," said Symetra Tour player Stefanie Kenoyer, a former Big Break-Mexico contestant. "All the girls look forward to playing this tournament."

The 2014 Island Resort Championship, a 54-hole stroke play event with a field of 144 professional women golfers, will be held June 27-29.

For more information:  www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com or 877-ISL-GREEN.

Contact: NEOhioGolf@yahoo.com