TPC Wisconsin will host the 54-hole Wisconsin Women’s Championship, an Annika Women’s All Pro Tour event, on July 29-31 this summer. The contracts are finalized, with a pro-am set for July 28, coming weeks after the American Family Insurance Championship concludes its run at the same venue. This grassroots gathering underscores growing efforts to expand professional opportunities for women in golf while benefiting local foundations.
Pathway for Emerging Professionals
The Annika Women’s All Pro Tour, launched in 2019 through partnerships with the LPGA and Epson Tour, serves as a key developmental circuit. It delivers exemptions to Epson Tour events, Rolex Rankings points, and access to LPGA Qualifying stages, creating a structured progression for skilled women. Alumni such as Grace Kim and Alexa Pano have advanced to LPGA victories, highlighting the tour’s role in nurturing talent. Local connections add appeal: Madison’s Bobbi Stricker, daughter of PGA Tour Champions participant Steve Stricker, has competed in 19 WAPT events.
Grassroots Access and Community Focus
Tournament director Dave Olesczuk describes the event as fundamentally community-oriented, with free spectator admission and no gallery ropes, allowing fans to follow play at a respectful distance. Hospitality remains limited to a setup between the 16th tee and 18th green, provided by a local partner, contrasting sharply with the elaborate arrangements at the Champions Tour stop on June 5-7. Olesczuk anticipates strong embrace from Destination Madison, Downtown Madison partners, and TPC Wisconsin members, viewing it as an enhancement to the region’s golf landscape without overlapping the prior event.
Foundation Support and Strong Interest
Any surplus revenue will support the Golf Foundation of Wisconsin, ensuring TPC Wisconsin gains no profit. Two weeks ago, 75 women had registered, with organizers expecting a full field of 144. This model aligns with broader trends in developmental golf, where accessible events foster participation and channel resources back into youth and amateur programs across the state.
Wider Wisconsin Golf Developments
Beyond the championship, local figure Hunter Eichhorn from Carney, Michigan, continues to impress on the Korn Ferry Tour, securing a T-9 at the Visa Argentina Open with a final-round 67, his third top-10 in five starts. The USGA’s decision to rename its U.S. Amateur medal and U.S. Junior Amateur trophy after Tiger Woods honors his unmatched streak of three consecutive titles in each from 1991-1996. Registration is now open for First Tee–Southeast Wisconsin programs at four courses, while Madison’s Andy North earned a second term on the USGA Executive Committee.
