Epson Tour Archives - Mack Champ Invitational

Amari Avery and Cameron Champ at Mack Champ Invitational — Amari Avery with Cameron Champ at the 2021 Mack Champ Invitational.

For the second year in a row, the LPGA’s qualifying tour has chosen the Mack Champ Invitational to be one of the tournaments included in its MVP Invite program.

Amari Avery, who is now playing for the University of Southern California, earned an exemption last year.

Here’s more from the Epson Tour:

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 15, 2022) – For the second straight year, the Epson Tour will welcome an MVP Invite exemption from three elite minority championships into select tournaments on the “Road to the LPGA.” Each MVP Invite will be selected by the respective amateur tournament’s committee and provided the chance to compete in a designated Epson Tour event.

“We are excited to continue offering MVP Invite exemptions in 2022. This unique opportunity embraces the LPGA legacy of pioneering diversity and changing the face of golf, a foundation that started with the LPGA Founders more than 70 years ago,” said Mike Nichols, Chief Business Officer of LPGA Qualifying Tours and member of the LPGA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. “The PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship and National Women’s Collegiate Golf Championship both have a rich legacy showcasing players from HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions, while the Mack Champ Invitational featured an incredible group of competitors for the inaugural event in 2021 that will only get stronger.”

The Mack Champ Invitational is the first tournament that will provide an Epson Tour MVP Invite in 2022. Named after PGA TOUR professional Cameron Champ’s late grandfather Mack Champ, the invitational honors Mack’s legacy by identifying talented, diverse players. Tournament play runs March 19-20 at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston and the MVP Invite will earn an exemption into the Garden City Charity Classic at Buffalo Dunes Golf Club in Garden City, Kan. from April 29-May 1.

Read the complete release

One player from the Mack Champ Invitational will earn a chance to play in the Symetra Tour’s Garden City Charity Classic in Garden City, KS, in April.

As part of the LPGA Tour’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and in celebration of Black History Month, the Symetra Tour is offering “MVP Invites” to three tournaments that showcase minority golfers. The Mack Champ Invitational will be the first and the National Women’s Collegiate Golf Championship will be the second. The third and final event will be announced in the weeks to come.

“We are incredibly excited and grateful for the Symetra Tour’s enthusiasm in supporting our mission with the establishment of the Symetra Tour MVP Invite,” Cameron Champ said. “Having the ability to award a player in our field with an exemption to compete in the Garden City Classic is huge. That will be a fantastic experience for one of these young players and could also lead them to many more opportunities, which is exactly what we’ve set out to accomplish with the Mack Champ Invitational – opening more doors for golfers of diverse backgrounds to have the chance to succeed in this great sport.”