Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic

(Redirected from Visit Mesa Gateway Classic)

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.

Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic
Tournament information
LocationScottsdale, Arizona
Established2021
Course(s)TPC Scottsdale
Champions Course
Par71
Length6,439 yards (5,888 m)
Tour(s)Epson Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fund$400,000
Month playedMay
Current champion
China Ruixin Liu

History

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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
  • 2021–2024: Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic

Winners

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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

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Year Player Score Round
2020 Sophia Popov 63 (–9) 2nd

References

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  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.[permanent dead link]
  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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