WAPT launches a collegiate series providing more opportunities for female college players
DALLAS – In four short years, the Women’s All Pro Tour has filled the need to provide more playing opportunities for women dreaming of playing the LPGA Tour. A number of women who launched their professional careers on the WAPT include LPGA Tour players Matilda Castren, Yealimi Noh, Savannah Vilabia, Kaytlyn Papp, Gabby Then, and Grace Kim.
Now, The WAPT is broadening its scope by launching its new Collegiate Series (www.collegiateseries.golf). This new series is set to begin this summer and will provide collegiate players the opportunity to compete against their peers as well as with the pros.
“The goal of the WAPT from the start was to provide development and opportunities in women’s golf,” said WAPT President Gary DeSerrano. “The model has proved itself in the pro ranks and now we are expanding the philosophy in the college game.”
In a unique format, the Collegiate Series will be played in conjunction with select events on the 2023 WAPT schedule. Up to 48 collegiate women will compete in a Collegiate Division at the same course and time as 108 professional women.
Collegiate Series players will enjoy the same tour experience as the pros including free practice rounds, free tour-quality range balls, complimentary access to Trackman, free daily lunches, and 72-hole championship stroke-play events, with a cut.
“Nothing beats experience. And anytime you can compete alongside more experienced competitors, you improve mentally and physically,” DeSerrano goes on to say. “Collegiate series players will not only compete against their college peers but will get to compare their game with the current WAPT and Epson Tour professionals. We feel this is a great opportunity for development.”
The Collegiate Series is open to women that are incoming Freshmen to rising Seniors. Each Collegiate Series event will be awarded WAGR points and at the summer’s end, the Series’ leading points winner will earn an Epson Tour start at the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic, August 18-20 in Pendleton, Oregon.
The 2023 Collegiate Series kicks off in southeast Texas at the Babe Zaharius Open at Beaumont Country Club, May 23 – 26 in Beaumont Texas. The Series Championship will be held August 3-6 at the Heritage Classic in Wichita Kansas.