Circling Raven Championship Notes: Top players take on Circling Raven Championship
Courtesy Epson Tour media relations Kaitlyn Papp hits a shot during a practice round for this weekend's Epson Tour Circling Raven Championship at Circling Raven Golf Club in Worley. The tournament begins on Friday. Tickets are available at www.cdacasino.com.
From Epson Tour media relations
As part of the partnership with the Epson Tour, the top-five finishers in the PXG Race To Stage II standings at the end of the Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT) season were given exemptions to compete at this week’s Circling Raven Championship. Of the five players who earned the exemption, three accepted and those three players that will be in attendance combined for half of the wins on the WAPT this season.
Leading the standings and earning Carry Player of the Year honors was Bi Shin. Shin won three times during the 2023 WAPT season and finished in the top 10 in all 11 WAPT tournaments she played in. The Republic of Korea native has a top-10 result on the Epson Tour after earning an exemption earlier this year through the WAPT, finishing T7 at the IOA Golf Classic presented by LPT Realty. With her strong showing in Longwood, Shin appears to have played her way onto the Epson Tour for the rest of the season and could possibly end up higher on the money list with a strong performance at the Circling Raven Championship.
“I’m really honored to finish ranking number 1 in WAPT this season. I learned how to play golf like a game, and I enjoy playing in their tournaments,” said Shin. “I still have to learn a lot but I'm so excited to play in the Circling Raven Championship this week and compete with amazing players.”
Ou Olankitkunchai finished just behind Shin in the PXG Race To Stage II, collecting two wins along the way. Olankitkunchai only finished outside the top 10 twice in 11 starts on the WAPT, with only one missed cut all season. She had an impressive amateur career before turning professional in 2022. She was a two-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree, picking up one collegiate win with five runner-up finishes along the way.
“I am really proud of what I was able to accomplish on WAPT this year and very grateful for the Epson Tour and WAPT partnership,” said Olankitkunchai. “I’m super excited for the opportunity to play this week and going to enjoy every moment here.”
Finishing in third and the last player to accept a spot in this week’s field is Gurleen Kaur. The 23-year-old has had a good start to her professional career with two wins on the WAPT and three runner-up finishes, and she has as good of an amateur resume that you can think of. While attending Baylor University, Kaur was a four-time All-American selection, taking home four collegiate wins and 13 top-10 finishes. While still an amateur, Kaur played in the 2021 Chevron Championship and made the cut at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open. In her first LPGA Tour start as a professional at the 2023 Shoprite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, the new pro made the cut and showed she has the game to compete at the highest level.
“I am so honored to be playing this week in the Circling Raven Championship. Because of the WAPT I have the opportunity to compete on the Epson Tour and I am so grateful and excited,” said Kaur. “I had a good season on the WAPT, getting top 5 in the rankings as well as winning the final event the Heritage Classic. I can't wait to get started on this beautiful golf course and thank you to Circling Raven for the opportunity to play this week.”
CIRCLING RAVEN CHAMPIONSHIP
STATES WITH MOST REPRESENTATIVES — California 12, Texas 11, Florida 5, North Carolina 4.
COUNTRIES WITH MOST REPRESENTATIVES (20 total) — United States 57, Thailand 8, People's Republic of China 6, Republic of Korea 6, France 4, Chinese Taipei 4
ROOKIES — Annika Borrelli, Isabella Fierro, Keera Foocharoen, Nataliya Guseva, Minji Kang, Ashley Lau, Heather Lin, Amelia McKee, Alexa Melton, Angelica Moresco, Siri Patchana, Alexis Phadungmartvorakul, Jennifer Rosenberg, Chatprapa Siri Edell, Samantha Vodry, Miranda Wang, Therese Warner, Amelia Williamson, Anne Yu, Michelle Zhang
COLLEGIATE CONNECTIONS TO THE STATE OF IDAHO — Sophie Hausmann, University of Idaho
2023 EPSON TOUR WINNERS IN THE FIELD — Agathe Laisne, Florida's Natural Charity Classic; Miranda Wang, IOA Championship; Gigi Stoll, Casino Del Sol Golf Classic; Savannah Vilaubi, Copper Rock Championship; Jenny Coleman, IOA Golf Classic; Siyun Liu, FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship.