John Shippen tournaments now offering prize money along with PGA, LPGA exemptions
There is a new feature to the three John Shippen invitational golf tournaments, and the winners will be walking away with more than just a chance of a lifetime at Michigan pro golf events.
The tournament organizers announced on Wednesday that there will be money available to the top finishers for the John Shippen men's and women's invitationals and the Cognizant Cup event. A total purse of $60,000 will be split among the top three finishers (and ties) for each.
“Offering purses for all three the John Shippen events is a hugely important step as we continue to support the top Black men and women golfers in their development,” Jason Langwell, executive director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, said in a released statement. “Pursuing a professional golf career is an expensive endeavor, and the costs of travel, equipment and access to training and facilities can be prohibitive. Our goal is to help ease those financial stresses and reward the players that perform well in our events.”
The winner of the men's event, June 22-23 at the Detroit Golf Club, will still earn a spot in the PGA Tour's Rocket Mortgage Classic from June 27-30, and $13,200.
The women's invitational winner, June 4-5 at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, will also win $13,200 and a spot in the Meijer LPGA Classic on June 13-16 at the same course. That winner and a partner of her choosing will also play in the Dow Championships, a team event in Midland on June 27-30.
The John Shippen events began in 2021 to highlight the best Black men's and women's golfers in the country and has also contributed to local charities and scholarships.
The Cognizant Cup is held May 6 in Clifton, New Jersey. The winner of the one-round event will get $10,000 and a chance to play in the LPGA's Cognizant Founders Cup later that week.
Amateur players are not eligible for the cash winnings, and will have their portion of the purse split among the other top-three finishers.
John Shippen, the son of a slave, is thought to be the first American golf pro who competed in several early U.S. Opens.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: John Shippen tournaments offering prize money along with exemptions
