Samantha Wagner Wins EPSON Tour Battle in Battle Creek
By Tom Lang
BATTLE CREEK – American Samantha Wagner carded 8 birdies in the final round of the EPSON Tour’s FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, Sunday June 8, to earn her first professional win and a check for $33,750.
Her three-day total of 13-under par gave her a two-stroke win over Sophia Schubert, followed by four players at 9-under and T3. Former Michigan State golfer Valarie Plata took 11th at 6-under.
“It’s insane to hear that,” Wagner said about the title of first pro win. “It’s been a very long journey and it’s great to do it here with my dad (on the bag). I love Battle Creek, and this is one of my favorite tournaments. It’s really cool to win here.
“This is my 8th season as a professional, my 7th on the EPSON Tour (she was on the LPGA Tour in 2023), and the competitiveness of this tour has gotten stronger every year. And any given day, every single one of us can compete on the LPGA Tour. I believe that. There are several girls up here every single week vying for the trophy. It’s just so strong. Yes, it’s a feeder tour, but we’re just as good. We just all haven’t gotten there yet.”
About her 8 birdie day: “I finally got some putts to drop on the back nine, and I almost holed out for eagle on one hole, so a nice little tap in. I got into a nice groove and kept really calm.”
Wagner said she loves playing golf in Michigan, and she is going to get plenty of chances as the Tour is in the early stages of a three-week run in the Great Lakes State. The Pure Michigan Cup continues at Boyne Highlands to be played on the Heather, then culminates at Island Resort near Escanaba and its Sweetgrass course.
“I think it’s really important for the EPSON Tour to be here in Michigan this month,” said Frank Tecumseh, GM at FireKeepers Casino Hotel, a short time before handing the trophy and winner’s check to Wagner. “We have great weather and it’s a chance for them to experience some great golf courses. Kicking off the Pure Michigan Cup here in Battle Creek with the next one at Boyne and finishing at Island Resort is really exciting. It’s something we haven’t done before.
“This is our 12th year of hosting (in Battle Creek). We enjoy doing it, I think the ladies love coming here. And everyone enjoys watching great golf. The feedback I have received from the players is that they don’t like going from one state to the next, so having these three weeks in Michigan I think is exciting for them, it saves on their expenses, it saves on their travel time and I think it helps them keep focused on playing good golf.”
Wagner is totally on board with that, especially with a winning streak started.
“Oh my gosh I love Michigan golf,” she said. “My family loves coming here, so I’m really excited for these three weeks. It’s a great time of year to play golf here. The courses are always amazing. So, two more weeks to go.”
