Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic
Tournament information
LocationMesa, Arizona
Established2021
Course(s)Longbow Golf Club
Par72
Length6,439 yards (5,888 m)
Tour(s)Epson Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fund$335,000
Month playedMarch
Current champion
Australia Gabriela Ruffels

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 has always been held at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona.[1]

History

For 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
  • 2021–2023: Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic

Winners

YearDateWinnerCountryScoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-upPurse ($)Winner's
share ($)
2023Mar 19Gabriela Ruffels Australia270 (−18)2 strokesUnited States Kathleen Scavo335,00050,250
2022Mar 20Fátima Fernández Cano Spain271 (−17)3 strokesParaguay Sofia Garcia
Sweden Dani Holmqvist
Dominican Republic Laura Restrepo
250,00037,500
2021Mar 21Ruixin Liu China271 (−17)PlayoffUnited States Rose Zhang (a)200,00030,000
2020Aug 16Sarah White United States201 (−15)1 strokeUnited States Casey Danielson
Germany Sophia Popov
125,00018,750
2018–19: No tournament
2017Apr 1Liv Cheng New Zealand209 (−7)PlayoffUnited States Mina Harigae100,00015,000
2016: No tournament
2015Feb 22Hannah O'Sullivan (a) United States201 (−15)4 strokesUnited States Haley Italia100,00015,000
2014Feb 23Alena Sharp Canada204 (−12)2 strokesUnited States Marissa Steen100,00015,000
2013Feb 24Jaclyn Sweeney United States209 (−7)2 strokesCanada Alena Sharp100,00015,000

Tournament records

YearPlayerScoreRound
2020Sophia Popov63 (–9)2nd

References

  1. "Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic". Epson Tour. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. "Jaclyn Sweeney wins Symetra Tour event". AP News. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  3. "VisitMesa.com Gateway Classic Pro-Am Opportunity" (PDF). VisitMesa.com. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  4. "History, Hannah O'Sullivan Wins the Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club". LPGA Tour. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  5. "Ruixin Liu holds off No. 1 amateur Rose Zhang to win Symetra Tour title in Arizona". Golfweek. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  6. "Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic Field Finalized". Epson Tour. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
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