News Summary
The 2026 Epson Tour season is set to kick off with the Atlantic Beach Classic from March 5-7 at the Atlantic Beach Country Club in Florida. This event marks the official beginning of the qualifying tour for the LPGA Tour, offering a prize purse of $250,000 and 500 Race Points for participants. With its rich history of nurturing female golf talent since 1981, the Epson Tour continues to pave the way for aspiring professional golfers through a series of competitive events.
Epson Tour Kicks Off 2026 Season with Atlantic Beach Classic
Get ready, golf enthusiasts! The excitement is building as the 2026 Epson Tour season is set to kick off with the highly anticipated Atlantic Beach Classic from March 5-7. This thrilling event is not just another tournament; it’s the beginning of the official qualifying tour for the LPGA Tour, paving the way for countless aspiring female professional golfers to step into the spotlight!
Key Details of the Season Opener in Florida
Mark your calendars because the Atlantic Beach Classic is happening at the Atlantic Beach Country Club in Florida. The tournament will run from Thursday, March 5, through Saturday, March 7. Just to give you a heads up, this annual competition has been featured on the Epson Tour since 2024, and it’s the perfect way to kick off the 2026 golfing calendar.
What’s more, the tournament boasts a generous prize purse of $250,000 and offers players a chance to earn 500 Race Points. Who wouldn’t want to tee off on a beautiful par 71 course stretching around 6,300 yards?
What is the Epson Tour’s Role?
For those unfamiliar with it, the Epson Tour functions as the official developmental and qualifying tour for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. Commonly known as the “Road to the LPGA,” the tour’s mission is crystal clear: to prepare talented young women for success on the main tour. Through a series of well-structured competitions, players can develop their skills and gain invaluable exposure.
At the end of each season, the top performers in the “Race for the Card” standings will be rewarded with LPGA Tour status for the following year. Those who finish in the top 10 slots will receive full LPGA Tour membership, while players finishing in the 11th to 15th positions will hold conditional membership. It’s like a ladder to success in the competitive realm of professional golf.
A History of Nurturing Golf Talent
The 2026 season isn’t just another year; it marks the 46th competitive season for the Epson Tour! Can you believe it all started back in 1981 as the Tampa Bay Mini Tour? Over the years, it transformed into the Futures Tour and officially became the LPGA’s developmental circuit in 1999. It wasn’t until 2007 that the LPGA fully acquired the Tour!
The history of this remarkable tour is rich with growth and evolution. It has donned several names along the way due to sponsorship, such as the Duramed Futures Tour and the Symetra Tour, before landing on the name we know now: the Epson Tour, which was adopted in 2022. With over 600 alumnae successfully graduating to the LPGA Tour – including numerous major champions – the quality of talent produced from this developmental stage is simply astounding! Typically, the tour features 20 or more tournaments every season, with prize purses ranging between $200,000 to $400,000 per event.
Atlantic Beach Classic 2026 Event Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Atlantic Beach Classic |
| Tour | Epson Tour (Official Qualifying Tour for LPGA Tour) |
| Start Date | March 5, 2026 |
| End Date | March 7, 2026 |
| Location | Atlantic Beach, Florida |
| Course | Atlantic Beach Country Club |
| Purse | $250,000 |
| Race Points Offered | 500 |
| Course Par | 71 |
| Course Yardage | 6,300 yards |
So, whether you’re a dedicated fan or a budding player yourself, the Atlantic Beach Classic is a fantastic opportunity to witness emerging talent and the exciting future of women’s golf. Don’t miss out on the action!
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Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
