The PKBGT returns to action on February 27-28 on the campus of Clemson University for the 2016 Tiger Classic. This will be the fourth playing of the Tiger Classic at the Walker Course. Last year, the event was cancelled due to snow. In 2014, current Mercer University freshman Payton Schanen (2015, Milton, GA) was victorious in the Bell Series and Alyssa Montgomery (Knoxville, TN 2019) claimed the Futures Series in a play-off. Past champions also include Virginia Tech freshman Anne Taylor Hough (2015, Spartansburg, SC) in 2013 Eden Howard (2014, Lamar, SC) in 2012.
This year’s Bell Series field includes 34 players highlighted by 13 players in the Top 1000 nationally in the Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings, including 3 in the PKBGT Performance Index Top 25. These 3 include reigning PKBGT Invitational champion Rachel Kuehn (2019, Asheville, NC), Baylee Evans (2018, Lancaster, SC) and recent 3rd Place finisher at the Rocket Tour Players Championship, Kate Owens (2018, Suwanee, GA). PKBGT newcomer Caroline Craig (2019, Niceville, FL) is a player to watch in her PKBGT debut.
The Futures Series looks to be an exciting event with many new faces to the PKBGT entered and primed to make a statement. The field features 35 players from 7 states, led by current #2 ranked player on the Futures Series Order of Merit, Melissa Meng (2020, Blacksburg, VA) and #3 ranked Michaela Cox (2017, Greensboro, NC). In addition to Meng, four players in the field are ranked inside the Top 2,000 nationally, including Victoria Hall (2018, Moore, SC) and the Tennessee triumvirat of Lexanne Halama (2021, Jonesborough, TN), Isabella van der Biest (2021, Kingsport, TN) and Kyndall Shamblin (2022, Cleveland, TN). We look forward to a great event and welcome our new players to the PKBGT family!
The Peggy Kirk Bell Girls’ Golf Tour is an initiative of the Triad Youth Golf Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation aimed at increasing learning and playing opportunities for youth golfers. Based out of Greensboro, North Carolina, the PKBGT offers affordable, high-quality nationally ranked girls’ golf tournaments designed to prepare junior girls’ golfers for high school and collegiate golf. The PKBGT is the nation’s largest “girls’ only” junior tour with over 450 members in 2015 and 450 girls playing in or committed to collegiate golf. Learn more about the tour at pkbgt.org or by contacting Tour Director Mike Parker at mparker@pkbgt.org or 336-347-8537.
| Baylee Evans |
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