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Columbus golf course hosts new championship on LPGA's Epson Tour

Organizers say the championship will showcase the next generation of the world's best female golfers right here in Indiana.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Just east of Columbus sits Otter Creek Golf Course.

It was designed in 1964 by Robert Trent Jones, his only golf course in Indiana.

Now, it has become a landmark in Columbus, and it's clubhouse has become a national landmark.

Starting June 10, the golf world will be watching Otter Creek as it hosts the Otter Creek Championship, one of two new events on the Epson Tour, which is the qualifying tour for the Ladies Professional Golf Association.

"We've hosted many amateur championships here before," said Austin Wright, director of golf at Otter Creek. "Now, getting the professional game has been extremely huge for us."

Organizers said the championship will showcase the next generation of the world's best female golfers.

"Of the top 144 players, 132 of them are here," Wright said. "It is a tremendous field."

The roster includes Hoosier players too, like Annabelle Pancake from Zionsville, Erica Shepherd from Greenwood, and Cailyn Henderson from Westfield.

Henderson said she started playing golf when she was 3 years old. She said she even played at tournaments at Otter Creek growing up.

"It's definitely full circle for me," Henderson said. "Whenever I'm at Otter Creek, it just feels cozy and homey because I've been here since I was 8, 9 years old."

Henderson played golf at the University of Indianapolis before turning pro after three collegiate seasons.

She then turned her attention to social media, where she started partnering with popular brands, including The Golf Channel. That led to the start of Henderson's own clothing brand called Fore The Girls.

"This past year, I've just been working a lot," Henderson said. "So now, I miss that competitive aspect of tournaments. This is why I'm here now."

Henderson said the competition will be fierce during the Otter Creek Championship because LPGA status is on the line.

"I don't think people realize how good these girls are," Henderson said. "Yes, they are not on the LPGA, but they should be because they're that good. I feel like average scores are high 60s, which that's crazy to me."

As women compete on the tour, Henderson said they accumulate wins and points that can qualify them for the LPGA Tour at the end.

"Some of the best golfers in the entire world are coming to this event," Henderson said. "It's cool too because it's in Indiana, my home state, so I'm excited for all the girls to come here."

"We want everyone to come out here and have a great time," Wright said. "It's the reason admission is free."

Along with free admission, there are additional opportunities and experiences for fans.

All of the proceeds will benefit Turning Point Domestic Violence Services in Columbus.

"We are both working to spread the word about what we do and engage as many people as possible," said Whittney Loyd, president of Turning Point, which works toward the prevention and elimination of dating and domestic violence. It's a long-standing agency that serves six central Indiana counties.

Partnering with Otter Creek and the Epson Tour will allow the agency to continue its work, according to Loyd.

"We provided over 5,500 nights of shelter in our 25-bed building last year," Loyd said. "The need in our county and surrounding counties is significant, and funds are vital to keep this work going."

The Otter Creek Championship will be the course's first professional event in more than 25 years. Organizers have scheduled two opportunities to play with the pros during Championship Week, starting June 10 at Harrison Lake Country Club's Ladies Only Pro-Am.

As for the course itself, Wright said it is on track for a major redesign in the coming years.

"We are just looking to grow," Wright said.

"Otter Creek is a beautiful, beautiful community staple," Loyd said. "I grew up playing golf here."

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