After 51 years of major championships, the LPGA has taken the Coachella Valley in California out of the picture. But women’s professional is set to return with the largest event on their developmental tour.
The Indian Wells City Council will vote on Thursday whether or not to spend up to $100,000 to sponsor and hold the Epson Tour Championship at the Indian Wells Golf Resort, which is owned by the city. This event would take place in the fall 2024. The Epson Tour Championship marks the end of the Epson Tour season. The top 10 money-list players earn LPGA exemptions the following year.
A city staff report suggests that “after discussing funding options, time of year the tournament will be played, consumption of existing tee-times, and negotiated resident benefits, the Finance Committee recommended the Council consider the Host City sponsorship at $100,000,” according to the report.
The Epson Tour will play its first event in the desert on Oct. 3 – 6, though it does hold an annual tournament at the Morongo Golf Club in Beaumont in March. Since 2008, the championship has always been played in Florida, except for 2020 when it will be held at River Run Country Club, Davidson, North Carolina.
Christopher Freeland is the Indian Wells city manager who compiled the staff report. He said, “We look forward to the opportunity to bring women’s and championship golf back to Coachella Valley.” The idea that 10 players would receive their LPGA cards at the end the week is fantastic.
The LPGA’s history in Coachella Valley dates back to 1953, when an event was held at Tamarisk country club in Rancho Mirage. Dinah Shore, a television and recording superstar who hosted the event at Mission Hills Country Club Rancho Mirage for 51 years under different sponsorship names was the most well-known LPGA presence. This tournament, which began in 1972, was elevated to major chainpionship status in 1983 and ended in the desert as the Chevron Championship in 2022 before moving to Houston in 2023.
Freeland believes that the deal for the Epson Tour to play in the city’s resort would be extended if the deal was to last longer. Freeland said that the successful Epson Tour Championship in October could encourage the LPGA into returning to the Coachella Valley with an official LPGA tournament.
Alexa Pano, USA, plays her shot at the third tee at the Champions Course at LPGA International in Daytona Beach on October 6, 2022. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images).
Residents Discounts Included
The new event would be called the Epson Tour Championship in Indian Wells if the city council approves the sponsorship level of $100,000. Residents of the city will receive discounts on tickets to the grounds, VIP hospitality, and pro-am berths. The city will also receive advertising on the live stream.
The staff report states that “this opportunity is consistent with City Council’s goals to increase tourism in Indian Wells and to expand the City’s branding as a golfing destinations.”
According to the report, if the sponsorship level of $100,000 is approved, the staff will have $62,200 available in the Golf Resort Fund for Epson. This would still require an allocation of $37,800. The council may also decide to turn down hosting the event altogether or consider a $50,000 sponsorship. Freeland said he was optimistic about the vote.
Freeland stated that he expected some form of sponsorship to be approved. “I’m not sure if the sponsorship will be at the $100,000 or $50,000 level but I believe something will be approved.”
The LPGA estimates that it will generate more than 1,900 room nights between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6 – a period of traditionally low hotel occupancy in the city. This is expected to result in increased revenues for local restaurants as well as the golf resort. The LPGA has pledged to provide receptions and parties, as well as a pro-am tournament for 150 amateurs. At the end of this event, there will be a LPGA card presentation and estimated media exposure of $2.5 million for the city.
Freeland stated that the LPGA asked the IWGR, via Troon management, to move the Epson Tour Championship from Daytona Beach. The staff report does say which 18-hole course at the golf resort is to be played. However, Freeland confirmed that the Players Course will be used. This course was renovated by John Fought based on an original Ted Robinson design.
Raymond Floyd won the Gulfstream Aerospace Invitational, a professional event, in 1993. The LG Skins Game took place at the resort from 2006 until 2008, when the Skins Game ended. The resort hosted the Southern California Open in recent years, an event organized by the PGA of Southern California.
