FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MICHELLE PIYAPATTRA AND ERICA SHEPHERD RECEIVE SPONSOR EXEMPTIONS FOR THE 2023 FOUR WINDS INVITATIONAL
Ms. Piyapattra is from Eastvale, Calif. and is a Graduate of Columbia University
Ms. Shepherd is from Greenwood, Ind. and is a Recent Graduate of Duke University
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – July 31, 2023 – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos are pleased to announce that Michelle Piyapattra and Erica Shepherd have received sponsor exemptions to play in the 2023 Four Winds Invitational. Sponsor exemptions are used to give amateurs and up-and-coming players the opportunity to play in tournaments and compete against professionals. The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Epson Tour, which entered its 43rd year of structured competition in 2023 and is the most established women’s qualifying tour in the world as the one “Road to the LPGA.” The tournament will take place from Thursday, August 10 through Saturday, August 12 at South Bend Country Club.
Michelle Piyapattra is from Eastvale, California and played Division I golf at Columbia University in New York. During her four years there, she won six individual titles, including the Ivy League Conference tournament, she also earned First-Team All-Ivy three times as well as Ivy League Player of the Year her sophomore year. She double majored in Political Science and Anthropology and during her senior year, won her first professional event on the Canadian Tour as an amateur. The win gave her an exemption into the 2014 CP Canadian Women’s Open where she had her pro debut. Since then she has maintained full-status on the Epson Tour and at the Four Winds Invitational last year, she finished T21. She enjoys coming back to South Bend and seeing her host family and volunteer caddy who are members at South Bend Country club. She has also participated in multiple Four Winds Invitational pro-ams and junior clinics during the week of the tournament. She is currently the assistant women’s golf coach at Cal State Fullerton and works for FORE Hire, which is a company committed to creating opportunities for players, people, and organizations through golf.
Ms. Shepherd is from Greenwood, Indiana and is a recent graduate of Duke University. As a member of the Blue Devils golf team for four years, she totaled a 73.12 stroke average to go along with one individual victory, six top-5, 10 top-10 and 16 top-20 finishes. She collected 39 rounds of even or under par and 10 rounds in the 60s. She also turned in her third straight top-15 finish in a NCAA Regional – T14 in 2023, T11 in 2022 and T13 in 2021, becoming just the 11th Blue Devil to collect three or more top-15 finishes in the NCAA Regional. Ms. Shepherd competed in all four Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) events and made the cut in three of her four appearances.
Commenting on the sponsor exemption selection, Scott Brewer, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Relations/Security for Four Winds Casinos said, “The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and its Four Winds Casinos are proud to have selected Michelle Piyapattra and Erica Shepherd as our sponsor exempt players for the 2023 Four Winds Invitational. Both are rising stars and represent the high level of talent competing on the Epson Tour. We wish them both the best of luck for this year’s tournament.”
Greg Helmkamp, General Manager and Head Golf Professional at South Bend Country Club added, “Both Michelle and Erica have a passion for the sport and proven tournament performance to compete with the best players on the Epson Tour. In addition to distinguished collegiate careers, Erica has had the opportunity to compete and make the cuts at four LPGA and two Epson Tour events as an amateur, and Michelle was in contention going into the final round of the Four Winds Invitational last year. We look forward to welcoming them both to South Bend Country Club, along with the rest of the field, for a very competitive tournament this year.”
Ms. Piyapattra said, “I really wanted to play in this year’s event since I was in contention the final round last year and just wasn’t able to make a move on the last day. Also, I thought last year’s event would be my last, but now as a college coach I had a week free from recruiting and wanted to come back to play in South Bend where I have community ties.”
Ms. Shepherd said, “It means so much to me to start my professional golf career in the state that I grew up in. Playing in the 2023 Four Winds Invitational will provide me with invaluable experience as I prepare for Q-school in late August.”
More information on Ms. Piyapattra’ s collegiate career at Columbia University can be found by clicking on the following link: https://gocolumbialions.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/michelle-piyapattra/4193.
More information on Ms. Shepherd’s collegiate career at Duke University can be found by clicking on the following link: https://goduke.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/erica-shepherd/18683.
Volunteers are still needed to fill a variety of roles at the 2023 Four Winds Invitational. Volunteer roles include assisting with scoring duties and serving as building attendants, caddies, cart drivers, driving range attendants, food and beverage servers, marshals and spotters, parking attendants, standard bearers, shuttle drivers, and more. For more information and to complete the volunteer application, please visit http://fourwindsinvitational.com/volunteer/ or contact Ronna Nowinski, Four Winds Invitational Volunteer Coordinator at fwivolunteer@southbendcc.com.
About the Four Winds Invitational
The Four Winds® Invitational was established in 2012 as part of the Road to the LPGA® and is sponsored by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos. The tournament features a field of professional women golfers from around the world. More information is available at: http://fourwindsinvitational.com/.
About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care, and cultural preservation for its more than 6,000 citizens. The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013 and Four Winds South Bend in January 2018. The Pokagon Band operates a variety of non-gaming businesses through its investment enterprises, Mno-Bmadsen and the Pokagon Development Authority. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov, www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com.
About the Epson Tour
The Epson Tour is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour, the world’s leading competitive destination for female professional golfers. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour, entering into its 43rd competitive season in 2023, aims to prepare the world’s best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in total prize money to hosting more than 20 events and awarding $4.9 million in 2023. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 466 LPGA titles.
Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
# # #
Media Contact:
David Gutierrez, for the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2023 FOUR WINDS INVITATIONAL ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR GRAPES ON THE GREEN FUNDRAISING EVENT
Enjoy wine and food samplings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 6
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – June 21, 2023 – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos are pleased to announce details for this year’s Grapes on the Green fundraising event, as part of the build up to the 2023 Four Winds Invitational, which will take place from Thursday, August 10 through Saturday, August 12 at South Bend Country Club. Grapes on the Green will take place on Sunday, August 6 at South Bend Country Club with staggered start times from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. Attendees will enjoy wine and food samplings along with music. Grapes on the Green is sponsored by Panzica Building Corporation of South Bend and proceeds from the tournament will benefit Beacon Children’s Hospital. The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Epson Tour, which entered its 43rd year of structured competition in 2023 and is the most established women’s qualifying tour in the world as the one “Road to the LPGA.”
Located next to the Chain O Lakes, the South Bend Country Club is the perfect setting for anyone who wants to enjoy live music, wine, and appetizers while relaxing near natural lakes, lush marshes, and graceful willow trees. Grapes on the Green participants will drive a golf cart along nine holes of South Bend Country Club while stopping at each hole to sample wine and food pairings. Tickets are $130 plus applicable fees per couple and include a golf cart, tastings, and appetizers.
For more information about Grapes on the Green and to purchase tickets, please click on the following links: http://fourwindsinvitational.com/grapes-on-the-green/
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grapes-on-the-green-tickets-656963183567?aff=erelexpmlt
About the Four Winds Invitational
The Four Winds® Invitational was established in 2012 as part of the Road to the LPGA®, and is sponsored by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos. The tournament features a field of professional women golfers from around the world. More information is available at: http://fourwindsinvitational.com/.
About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care, and cultural preservation for its more than 6,000 citizens. The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013 and Four Winds South Bend in January 2018. The Pokagon Band operates a variety of non-gaming businesses through its investment enterprises, Mno-Bmadsen and the Pokagon Development Authority. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov, www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com.
About the Epson Tour
The Epson Tour is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour, the world’s leading competitive destination for female professional golfers. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour, entering into its 43rd competitive season in 2023, aims to prepare the world’s best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in total prize money to hosting more than 20 events and awarding $4.9 million in 2023. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 466 LPGA titles.
Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
# # #
Media Contact:
David Gutierrez, for the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com
POKAGON BAND OF POTAWATOMI AND ITS FOUR WINDS CASINOS HOST A MEDIA DAY FOR THE 2023 FOUR WINDS INVITATIONAL
Beacon Children’s Hospital was named as the beneficiary of the tournament and proceeds will be used for life saving and maternal care equipment
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – June 7, 2023 – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos are pleased to announce that they hosted a media day today at South Bend Country Club as part of the build up to the 2023 Four Winds Invitational. Media attended a press conference where Beacon Children’s Hospital was named as the beneficiary of the tournament and noted proceeds will be used for a GlideScope® airway visualization system to help with intubation of patients and two Panda™ Warmers with resuscitation equipment for infant care. The media also were invited to play South Bend Country Club’s highly-ranked golf course.
“The Pokagon Band and our Four Winds Casinos are very proud of our longtime sponsorship of the Four Winds Invitational, which has generated close to $900,000 in proceeds for Beacon Health System and Beacon Children’s Hospital over the last 11 years,” said Rebecca Richards, Tribal Chairwoman for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. “We are looking forward to the 12th edition of the tournament this year and appreciate the continued support from the South Bend community including the City of South Bend, our sponsors, vendors, volunteers, team members, as well as our partners, the LPGA Epson Tour and South Bend Country Club.”
Clayton Mason, Interim-Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Four Winds Casinos added, “Including this year’s $200,000 purse, we have offered over $1.5 million in prize money since we began hosting the Four Winds Invitational in 2012. Having the tournament take place at South Bend Country Club, along with proceeds going to Beacon Children’s Hospital, has made the Four Winds Invitational extra special not only for the players, but also everyone involved in supporting the tournament.”
City of South Bend Mayor James Mueller said, “We are grateful for our government-to-government relationship with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and their generous contributions to the City of South Bend, which help fund a variety of critical services and community development initiatives,” said Mayor James Mueller. “We also value their direct support of Beacon Health System and Beacon Children’s Hospital, which provides critical medical care and support to so many families and children in our region. We look forward to another great Four Winds Invitational this year.”
Jen Tonkovich, Director of Women and Children’s Services for Beacon Health System said, “We would like to thank the Pokagon Band, its Four Winds Casinos, and all of the sponsors and donors from the South Bend community for their continued generous support over the years. Receiving the proceeds from the Four Winds Invitational has not only helped us better serve children and families in the region, but also helped us plan for the future in ways we can continue to improve our quality of care. This year’s contribution will enable us to expand our portfolio of life saving and maternal care equipment.”
Greg Helmkamp, General Manager and Head Golf Professional at South Bend Country Club added, “South Bend Country Club is very excited to host the 2023 Winds Invitational, which has become a favorite with the LPGA Epson Tour players. The caliber of our golf course and facilities coupled with the support of our members and our experience in hosting an annual U.S. Open qualifier, will help make the 12th edition of the Four Winds Invitational its best tournament yet.”
The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Epson Tour, which entered its 43rd year of structured competition in 2023 and is the most established women’s qualifying tour in the world as the one “Road to the LPGA.” The tournament will take place from Thursday, August 10 through Saturday, August 12 at South Bend Country Club. Volunteers are needed to fill a variety of roles including assisting with scoring duties and serving as building attendants, caddies, cart drivers, driving range attendants, food and beverage servers, marshals and spotters, parking attendants, standard bearers, shuttle drivers, and more. For more information and to complete the volunteer application, please visit http://fourwindsinvitational.com/volunteer/.
About the Four Winds Invitational
The Four Winds® Invitational was established in 2012 as part of the Road to the LPGA®, and is sponsored by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos. The tournament features a field of professional women golfers from around the world. More information is available at: http://fourwindsinvitational.com/.
About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care, and cultural preservation for its more than 6,000 citizens. The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013 and Four Winds South Bend in January 2018. The Pokagon Band operates a variety of non-gaming businesses through its investment enterprises, Mno-Bmadsen and the Pokagon Development Authority. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov, www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com.
About the Epson Tour
The Epson Tour is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour, the world’s leading competitive destination for female professional golfers. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour, entering into its 43rd competitive season in 2023, aims to prepare the world’s best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in total prize money to hosting more than 20 events and awarding $4.9 million in 2023. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 466 LPGA titles.
Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
# # #
Media Contact:
David Gutierrez, for the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2023 FOUR WINDS INVITATIONAL ANNOUNCES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
150 volunteers needed for tournament week, August 10 – 12
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – May 25, 2023 – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos are seeking 150 volunteers to support the 2023 Four Winds Invitational. Volunteers are needed for morning, afternoon, and evening shifts all three days of the tournament, which will take place from Thursday, August 10 through Saturday, August 12 at South Bend Country Club. Assistance is also needed for Pro-Am activities on Tuesday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 9. The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Epson Tour, which enters its 43rd year of structured competition in 2023 and is the most established women’s qualifying tour in the world as the one “Road to the LPGA.”
Volunteers are needed to fill a variety of roles including assisting with scoring duties and serving as building attendants, caddies, cart drivers, driving range attendants, food and beverage servers, marshals and spotters, parking attendants, standard bearers, shuttle drivers, and more.
All selected volunteers must be at least 16 years of age prior to July 31, 2023 and will receive a Four Winds Invitational polo shirt, hat, and a $25 Four Winds Casinos gift card for their services (9+ hours of service is required). Two meals and beverages will also be provided to volunteers on each day of service. Volunteers are required to pay a $25 fee prior to July 31. As an additional option, volunteers can pay an $85 volunteer fee instead of $25 and receive a single round of golf to South Bend Country Club including a cart, along with their polo shirt, hat, and $25 Four Winds Casinos gift card.
For more information and to complete the volunteer application, please visit http://fourwindsinvitational.com/volunteer/.
For questions regarding volunteer opportunities, please contact Ronna Nowinski, Four Winds Invitational Volunteer Coordinator at fwivolunteer@southbendcc.com.
About the Four Winds Invitational
The Four Winds® Invitational was established in 2012 as part of the Road to the LPGA® and is sponsored by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos. The tournament features a field of professional women golfers from around the world. More information is available at: http://fourwindsinvitational.com/.
About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care, and cultural preservation for its more than 6,000 citizens. The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013 and Four Winds South Bend in January 2018. The Pokagon Band operates a variety of non-gaming businesses through its investment enterprises, Mno-Bmadsen and the Pokagon Development Authority. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov, www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com
About the Epson Tour
The Epson Tour is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour, the world’s leading competitive destination for female professional golfers. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour, entering into its 43rd competitive season in 2023, aims to prepare the world’s best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in total prize money to hosting more than 20 events and awarding $4.9 million in 2023. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 466 LPGA titles.
Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
# # #
Media Contact:
David Gutierrez, for the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE POKAGON BAND AND ITS FOUR WINDS CASINOS ANNOUNCE DATES FOR THE 2023 FOUR WINDS INVITATIONAL
12th Annual Tournament will be held at South Bend Country Club, August 10 – 12
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – April 6, 2023 – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos are pleased to announce that the 2023 Four Winds Invitational will be held at South Bend Country Club from Thursday, August 10 through Saturday, August 12. This year’s Four Winds Invitational will offer a $200,000 purse for the players and the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to Beacon Children’s Hospital. The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Epson Tour, which enters its 43rd year of structured competition in 2023 and is the most established women’s qualifying tour in the world as the one “Road to the LPGA.”
“We are very excited to announce the dates for the12th edition of the Four Winds Invitational,” said Rebecca Richards, Tribal Chairwoman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. “Over the last 11 years, we’ve donated $892,500 to Beacon Children’s Hospital using proceeds from the tournament to help with the acquisition of life-saving equipment to better serve patients and families in the South Bend community. A cumulative donation of this size would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and donors. We look forward to working again with the LPGA Epson Tour, South Bend Country Club and its members, along with volunteers and vendors to make the 2023 Four Winds Invitational our best tournament yet.”
“The city of South Bend is ideally suited to host one of the premier events on the LPGA Epson Tour with the award-winning South Bend Country Club offering a challenging course for players and our newly expanded casino resort, Four Winds South Bend, offering luxury accommodations, entertainment, fine dining and event space,” said Frank Freedman, Chief Operating Officer of Four Winds Casinos. “We are very thankful for the sponsors and everyone who works tirelessly to help make the Four Winds Invitational so successful every year. We’re looking forward to another great tournament this year.”
Duke Downey, CEO of South Bend Country Club, added, “We are very proud to once again be selected by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and its Four Winds Casinos to host the 2023 Four Winds Invitational. We are excited to welcome the future generation of rising LPGA stars and showcase what our award-winning golf course has to offer. I would also like to thank the members of South Bend Country Club for their support of the players leading up to and during tournament week.”
About the Four Winds Invitational
The Four Winds® Invitational was established in 2012 as part of the Road to the LPGA®, and is sponsored by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos. The tournament features a field of professional women golfers from around the world. More information is available at: http://fourwindsinvitational.com/.
About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care, and cultural preservation for its more than 6,000 citizens. The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013 and Four Winds South Bend in January 2018. The Pokagon Band operates a variety of businesses via Mno-Bmadsen, its non-gaming investment enterprise. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov, www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com
About the Epson Tour
The Epson Tour is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour, the world’s leading competitive destination for female professional golfers. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour, entering into its 43rd competitive season in 2023, aims to prepare the world’s best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in total prize money to hosting more than 20 events and awarding $4.9 million in 2023. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 466 LPGA titles.
Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
# # #
Media Contact:
David Gutierrez, for the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEGAN OSLAND AND CASSIE PORTER RECEIVE SPONSOR EXEMPTIONS FOR THE 2022 FOUR WINDS INVITATIONAL
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos are pleased to announce that Megan Osland and Cassie Porter have received sponsor exemptions to play in the 2022 Four Winds Invitational. Sponsor exemptions are used to give amateurs and up-and-coming players the opportunity to play in tournaments and compete against professionals. The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Epson Tour, which entered its 42nd year of structured competition in 2022 and is the most established women’s qualifying tour in the world as the one “Road to the LPGA.” The tournament will take place from Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14 at South Bend Country Club.
Megan Osland is a Canadian professional golfer who played on the Epson Tour from 2016 to 2019. With a spot in the field at the Four Winds Invitational, Megan has the opportunity to earn her full status back on the Epson Tour, which would allow her to get one step closer to her goal of playing on the LPGA Tour. Megan is from Kelowna, British Colombia and graduated from San Jose State University. Some of Megan’s recent tournament highlights include:
- 1st place LPGA Monday Qualifier, 2022 Palos Verdes Championship
- 1st place 2021 NWGA Tour Hawks Landing Tournament, Orlando FL
- 2nd place 2021 US Women’s Open Sectional Qualifier in Ormond Beach, FL
- Competed in 2021 US Women’s Open
- 1st place 2019 US Women’s Open Sectional Qualifier in Bradenton, FL
- Competed in 2019 US Women’s Open
- 1st place 2018 NWGA Tour Preserve at Turnbull Bay Ladies Classic with a first round 61 (-11) breaking the course record and record for lowest round ever shot on the NWGA Pro Tour.
Cassie Porter first started playing golf at the age of six at Peregian Springs Golf Club in Sunshine Coast, Queensland. After starting to play competitively at the age of nine, she won her first event shortly after. By the age of 12, Cassie had set her sights on becoming a full-time touring professional on the LPGA tour and aspiring to one day, be the number one ranked player in the world. Now, at the age of 19, after years of Amateur events in Australia, the U.S., Japan, Asia, and the Middle East, she turned professional in December 2021, and is embarking on her journey as a professional athlete. In 2022, Cassie commenced her professional career on the WPGA Tour during the Australian summer. She is aspiring to head to Europe to compete on the LET before heading to the United States to compete in LPGA Q-School to qualify for her LPGA Tour Card. Some of Cassie’s recent tournament highlights include:
2022
- 10th – WPGA Championship
- 18th – WPGA Melbourne International
- T23 – TPS Victoria (combined event with PGA of Australia)
- T4 – Victorian Open
- T6 – TPS Murray River (combined event with PGA of Australia)
- T8 – TPS Sydney (combined event with PGA of Australia)
- T3 – TPS Hunter Valley (combined event with PGA of Australia)
- T36 – Australian Women’s Classic Bonville
- T4 – Women’s NSW Open.
Commenting on the sponsor exemption selections, Scott Brewer, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Relations/Security for Four Winds Casinos said, “The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and its Four Winds Casinos are proud to have selected Megan Osland and Cassie Porter as our sponsor exempt players for the 2022 Four Winds Invitational. Both Megan and Cassie are rising stars and represent the high level of talent competing on the Epson Tour. We wish them both best of luck for this year’s tournament.”
Greg Helmkamp, Head Golf Professional at South Bend Country Club added, “Both Megan and Cassie have a passion for the sport and proven tournament performance to compete with the best players on the Epson Tour. We look forward to welcoming them to South Bend Country Club, along with the rest of the field, for a very competitive tournament this year.”
Volunteers are still needed to fill a variety of roles at 2022 Four Winds Invitational. Positions are available for many different areas including assisting with scoring duties and serving as building attendants, caddies, cart drivers, driving range attendants, food and beverage servers, marshals and spotters, parking attendants, standard bearers, shuttle drivers, and more. For more information and to complete the volunteer application, please visit http://fourwindsinvitational.com/volunteer/.
About the Four Winds Invitational
The Four Winds® Invitational was established in 2012 as part of the Road to the LPGA®, and is sponsored by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos. The tournament features a field of professional women golfers from around the world. More information is available at: http://fourwindsinvitational.com/.
About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care and cultural preservation for its more than 5,900 citizens. The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013 and Four Winds South Bend in January 2018. The Pokagon Band operates a variety of businesses via Mno-Bmadsen, its non-gaming investment enterprise. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov, www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com.
About the Epson Tour
The Epson Tour (formerly the Symetra Tour) is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour and enters its 42nd competitive season in 2022. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour’s mission is to prepare the world’s best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in prize money to $4.41 million awarded across 20+ events in 2022. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 459 LPGA titles.
Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities by leveraging its efficient, compact, and precision technologies and digital technologies to connect people, things, and information. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of around JPY 1 trillion. Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
Media Contact:
David Gutierrez for the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2022 FOUR WINDS INVITATIONAL ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR GRAPES ON THE GREEN FUNDRAISING EVENT
Enjoy wine and food samplings at 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 11
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos are pleased to announce details for this year’s Grapes on the Green fundraising event, as part of the build up to the 2022 Four Winds Invitational, which will take place from August 12 to 14 at South Bend Country Club. Grapes on the Green will take place on Thursday, August 11 at South Bend Country Club with staggered start times beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern. Attendees will enjoy wine and food samplings along with music. Grapes on the Green is sponsored by Panzica Building Corporation of South Bend and proceeds from the tournament will benefit Beacon Children’s Hospital. The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Epson Tour, which entered its 42nd year of structured competition in 2022 and is the most established women’s qualifying tour in the world as the one “Road to the LPGA.”
Located next to the Chain O Lakes, the South Bend Country Club is the perfect setting for anyone who wants to enjoy live music, wine, and appetizers while relaxing near natural lakes, lush marshes and graceful willow trees. Grapes on the Green participants will drive a golf cart along nine holes of South Bend Country Club while stopping at each hole to sample wine and food pairings. Tickets are $150 plus applicable fees per couple and include a golf cart. This year will also feature a VIP option for $250 that will include a bottle of wine to take home, two Four Winds $25 gift cards, two extra pour tickets, and a Four Winds Invitational goodie bag.
Some food and beverage vendors supporting Grapes on the Green include Classic Catering, Cultivate Food Rescue, Papa Vino’s, Uptown Kitchen, Victorian Pantry and the Four Winds Casinos Food Truck. For more information about Grapes on the Green and to purchase tickets, please visit http://fourwindsinvitational.com/grapes-on-the-green/.
About the Four Winds Invitational
The Four Winds® Invitational was established in 2012 as part of the Road to the LPGA®, and is sponsored by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos. The tournament features a field of professional women golfers from around the world. More information is available at: http://fourwindsinvitational.com/.
About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care and cultural preservation for its more than 5,900 citizens. The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013 and Four Winds South Bend in January 2018. The Pokagon Band operates a variety of businesses via Mno-Bmadsen, its non-gaming investment enterprise. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov, www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com.
About the Epson Tour
The Epson Tour (formerly the Symetra Tour) is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour and enters its 42nd competitive season in 2022. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour’s mission is to prepare the world’s best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in prize money to $4.41 million awarded across 20+ events in 2022. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 459 LPGA titles.
Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities by leveraging its efficient, compact, and precision technologies and digital technologies to connect people, things, and information. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of around JPY 1 trillion. Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
Media Contact:
David Gutierrez for the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POKAGON BAND OF POTWATOMI AND ITS FOUR WINDS CASINOS HOST A MEDIA DAY FOR THE 2022 FOUR WINDS INVITATIONAL
Beacon Children’s Hospital was named as the beneficiary of the tournament and proceeds will be used for a Quad Cab NICU Transport
June 29, 2022 – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos are pleased to announce that they hosted a media day today at South Bend Country Club as part of the build up to the 2022 Four Winds Invitational. Media attended a press conference where Beacon Children’s Hospital was named as the beneficiary of the tournament and noted proceeds will be used for a Quad Cab NICU Transport, which will allow Beacon Children’s Hospital to safely transport premature infants as well as the entire Specialty Care Team. The media also were invited to play South Bend Country Club’s highly-ranked golf course.
“The Pokagon Band and our Four Winds Casinos are very proud of our longtime sponsorship of the Four Winds Invitational, which has generated close to $800,000 in proceeds for Beacon Health System and Beacon Children’s Hospital over the last 10 years,” said Rebecca Richards, Tribal Chairwoman for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. “We are looking forward to the 11th edition of the tournament this year and appreciate the continued support from the South Bend community including our sponsors, vendors, volunteers, team members, as well as our partners, the LPGA Epson Tour and South Bend Country Club.”
Frank Freedman, Chief Operating Officer of Four Winds Casinos added, “Including this year’s $200,000 purse, we have offered over $1.3 million in prize money since we began hosting the Four Winds Invitational in 2012. Having the tournament take place at South Bend Country Club, along with proceeds going to Beacon Children’s Hospital, has made the Four Winds Invitational one of the most popular events on the LPGA Epson Tour.”
Jen Tonkovich, Director of Women and Children’s Services for Beacon Health System said, “We would like to thank the Pokagon Band, its Four Winds Casinos and all of the sponsors for their continued generous support over the years. Receiving the proceeds from the Four Winds Invitational has not only helped us better serve children and families in the region, but also help us plan for the future in ways we can continue to improve our quality of care. This year’s contribution will complete the purchase of the Quad Cab NICU Transport we announced in 2021.”
Greg Helmkamp, Head Golf Professional at South Bend Country Club added, “South Bend Country Club is honored to once again host the Four Winds Invitational. The caliber of our golf course and facilities coupled with the support of our members and our experience in hosting an annual U.S. Open qualifier, will help make the 11th edition of the Four Winds Invitational its best tournament yet.”
The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Epson Tour, which entered its 42nd year of structured competition in 2022 and is the most established women’s qualifying tour in the world as the one “Road to the LPGA.” The tournament will take place from Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14 at South Bend Country Club. Volunteers are needed to fill a variety of roles including assisting with scoring duties and serving as building attendants, caddies, cart drivers, driving range attendants, food and beverage servers, marshals and spotters, parking attendants, standard bearers, shuttle drivers, and more. For more information and to complete the volunteer application, please visit http://fourwindsinvitational.com/volunteer/.
About the Four Winds Invitational
The Four Winds® Invitational was established in 2012 as part of the Road to the LPGA®, and is sponsored by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos. The tournament features a field of professional women golfers from around the world. More information is available at: http://fourwindsinvitational.com/.
About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care and cultural preservation for its more than 5,900 citizens. The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013 and Four Winds South Bend in January 2018. The Pokagon Band operates a variety of businesses via Mno-Bmadsen, its non-gaming investment enterprise. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov, www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com
About the Epson Tour
The Epson Tour (formerly the Symetra Tour) is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour and enters its 42nd competitive season in 2022. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour’s mission is to prepare the world’s best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in prize money to $4.41 million awarded across 20+ events in 2022. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 459 LPGA titles.
Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities by leveraging its efficient, compact, and precision technologies and digital technologies to connect people, things, and information. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of around JPY 1 trillion. Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
Media Contact:
David Gutierrez for the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE POKAGON BAND AND ITS FOUR WINDS CASINOS ANNOUNCE DETAILS FOR THE 2022 FOUR WINDS INVITATIONAL
11th Annual Tournament will be held at South Bend Country Club, August 12 – 14
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – April 28, 2022 – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos are pleased to announce that the 2022 Four Winds Invitational will be held at South Bend Country Club from Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14. The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Epson Tour, which enters its 42nd year of structured competition in 2022 and is the most established women’s qualifying tour in the world as the one “Road to the LPGA.”
“We are very pleased to once again partner with South Bend Country Club for the11th edition of the Four Winds Invitational,” said Rebecca Richards, Tribal Chairwoman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. “2021 was the first year that the tournament was held at South Bend Country Club and everyone was very impressed with the course and its facilities. Not only did Golf Digest rank South Bend Country Club as thefifth-best private course in Indiana, but it also hosts an annual U.S. Open qualifier. We believe our partnership with South Bend Country Club, along with new tour sponsor Epson, will help make the 2022 Four Winds Invitational our best tournament yet!”
“We’d like to thank South Bend Country Club for their efforts as we continue our partnership for the second year,” said Frank Freedman, Chief Operating Officer of Four Winds Casinos. “We’d also like to thank all of the tournament sponsors as well as the LPGA for their support of the Four Winds Invitational over the last 10 years. The previous tournaments have been a great success and attracted fans throughout the region. We have offered over $1.2 million in prize money to date and are very excited that this year’s Four Winds Invitational will offer a $200,000 purse.”
Duke Downey, CEO of South Bend Country Club, added, “We are very proud to once again be selected by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and its Four Winds Casinos to host the 2022 Four Winds Invitational. We are excited to welcome the future generation of rising LPGA stars and showcase what our award-winning golf course has to offer. I would also like to thank the members of South Bend Country Club for their support of the players during tournament week.”
About the Four Winds Invitational
The Four Winds® Invitational was established in 2012 as part of the Road to the LPGA®, and is sponsored by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds® Casinos. The tournament features a field of professional women golfers from around the world. More information is available at: http://fourwindsinvitational.com/.
About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care and cultural preservation for its more than 5,900 citizens. The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013 and Four Winds South Bend in January 2018. The Pokagon Band operates a variety of businesses via Mno-Bmadsen, its non-gaming investment enterprise. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov, www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com
About the Epson Tour
The Epson Tour (formerly the Symetra Tour) is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour and enters its 42nd competitive season in 2022. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour’s mission is to prepare the world’s best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in prize money to $4.41 million awarded across 20+ events in 2022. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 459 LPGA titles.
Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities by leveraging its efficient, compact, and precision technologies and digital technologies to connect people, things, and information. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of around JPY 1 trillion. Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
Media Contact:
David Gutierrez, for the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com