FireKeepers Casino Championship Kicks Off with Competitive First Round at The Medalist

MARSHALL - Anticipation was high among local golf enthusiasts for the return of professional golf, especially as the 13th annual FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship commenced at The Medalist on June 12. With over a decade of play at Battle Creek Country Club behind them, fans were curious to see how the top women golfers would adapt to the new course layout.

More than 140 elite female golfers took to the course, vying for a total purse of $200,000. "The Medalist is a very difficult golf course. Tight. Different than a lot of courses these women play on," noted Lowell Weaver, managing partner of The Medalist. He expressed excitement about the competition, saying, "We were eager to see how their scores compare to the past when they played in Battle Creek."

The FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship is a significant event on the Epson Tour, which serves as a pathway to the LPGA Tour. The champion of this event earns a coveted LPGA card. "These aren't just some of the best women golfers in the world, these are some of the best golfers in the world," said Ray Vorraber, co-Director of the championship. He added, "I couldn't wait until we got to today to see them play. It's really a wild card, can't say who is a favorite and who's not."

Xiaowen Yin emerged as the leader after the first round, scoring an impressive 6-under par 66. She began her round with a birdie on the opening hole and despite a bogey on the 10th, she bounced back with four additional birdies to secure the top spot. Yin, who was the 2022 champion of this tournament, demonstrated her skill throughout the round.

Jillian Hollis and Elina Sinz followed closely behind, both finishing at 5-under par 67. Sinz notably played a bogey-free round, achieving three consecutive birdies from holes 13 to 15. A tight leaderboard emerged with seven golfers tied at 4-under, setting the stage for an exciting second day of competition.