- Defending champion Elizabeth Szokol to miss the event
- Sixth stop on the 2019 “Road to the LPGA” schedule
The Symetra Tour is going to Atlanta National Golf Club in the Peach State for the second edition of IOA Invitational from May 9-11.
“This is the second of three events on the calendar with Insurance Office of America as the title sponsor and their incomparable support is a big contributor to the steady growth of this Tour,” said Mike Nichols, the Chief Business Officer of the Symetra Tour. “We look forward to showcasing the next wave of LPGA Tour superstars in central Georgia on a course that offers a true test of skill.”
The event will see 144 players teeing-off for a total purse of $150,000, in a 54-hole stroke play format where a cut will be observed after 36-holes of play.
“Our team really looks forward to this stop, especially highlighting our brand with the game of golf in Atlanta and its surrounding community,” said Insurance Office of America (IOA) Chairman and CEO Heath Ritenour. “We are proud to share in the growth of the Symetra Tour and excited to bring the IOA platform to this region, sharing our values and goals along the way.”
The defending champion Elizabeth Sozokol will be missing the event after graduating to LPGA Tour after her win in 2018. The victory helped the University of Virginia alumna finish at No. 4 in the Volvik Race for the Card.
“It was such a great feeling to get my first win on the Symetra Tour at the IOA Invitational, and that win played a big role in helping earn my 2019 LPGA Tour card,” Szokol said. “It is so great to see Insurance Office of America’s continued support of women’s golf on the Symetra Tour and LPGA. Thanks to IOA’s events on the Symetra Tour, I am able to live out my dream of playing on the LPGA.”
We are still to hear from Sharmila Nicollet about her participation at the event. She is the only Indian golfer to play on the Symetra Tour currently.