Women-owned energy company powers purse for emerging female golf pros
SAINT AUGUSTINE, Florida – Clean energy solutions provider Vitis Energy has signed on as a founding partner of the PXG Women’s Match Play Championship, boosting the tournament’s total purse to a minimum of $55,000.
With Vitis’s support, the purse increased 10 percent, with $15,000 now going to the overall winner of the professional women’s tournament, to be held Nov.1-6 at the Slammer & Squire Golf Course at World Golf Village in Saint Augustine.
“We wanted to energize the players’ performance by offering a larger top purse,” said Stephanie Clarkson, chief executive officer of Vitis Energy. “As a certified women owned business enterprise, Vitis is pleased to be able to support these stellar women athletes as they pursue their dreams of a professional sports career.”
In addition to boosting the top purse, Vitis will sponsor the tournament’s volunteer program and the free Junior Clinic, scheduled for Oct. 30, whereby local youth will have an opportunity to learn key fundamentals with tournament players.
The accompanying charity Pro-Am on Oct. 31, meanwhile, will benefit Investing in Kids! (INK!), a nonprofit that provides scholarships and other support to students and teachers in the St. Johns County (FL) schools.
“We are thrilled to have Vitis Energy join us as a founding partner,” said Mark Berman, CEO of the East Coast Women’s Professional Golf Tour (ECWPGT), of which the PXG Women’s Match Play Championship is a part. “The synergy between Vitis – a women-owned company operating in a male-dominated industry – and this tournament couldn’t be stronger. Their commitment enables us to make a significant purse even more substantial.”
Considered to be the major of women’s developmental-level professional golf, the PXG Women’s Match Play Championship will feature more than 80 emerging professional women golfers seeking to advance to the LPGA Tour.
Seven ECWPGT players qualified for the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open Championship, including 2021 PXG Women’s Match Play competitors Sofia Garcia and Julianne Alvarez. Gabby Then, also a 2021 participant, won on the Epson Tour this year.
Information regarding the Junior Clinic, tickets and volunteering can be found on the tournament’s website at www.pxgwmpc.com. Information about elevated hospitality opportunities, Pro-Am spots and key sponsorships opportunities are also available on the tournament website or by contacting the tournament office at mark@pxgwmpc.com.
