Change of Venue for EPSON Tour’s Firekeepers Championship

    For more than a decade, one of Southwest Michigan’s most recognizable summer sporting events has quietly built a following in Battle Creek. Now, the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship is getting a change of scenery.

    The annual women’s professional golf tournament, part of the Epson Tour’s Road to the LPGA, will take place June 12–14, now at The Medalist Golf Club in Marshall. The move comes after 12 years at Battle Creek Country Club, where the event grew from a local attraction into a regular stop for up-and-coming players chasing their place on the LPGA Tour.

    This year’s tournament will feature a $200,000 purse and a field of rising talent, many working their way through the ranks of professional golf. For spectators, it offers a chance to see that journey up close, often before they become household names.

    The shift to The Medalist isn’t just about a new course. Organizers say the move opens the door to a different kind of experience, both for players and for those walking the fairways.

    The Medalist’s layout provides more room for spectators to follow play, along with updated facilities that better accommodate crowds. Plans include expanded viewing areas, fan engagement spaces, and hospitality options designed to make the tournament feel less like a passive viewing event and more like a full weekend experience.

    As the tournament grows in its new home, organizers are also expanding opportunities for community involvement. Volunteers and host families play a vital role in the event’s success, with positions including standard bearers, marshals, scoring assistants, hospitality support, and player services — offering something for everyone – whether you’re a golf enthusiast or simply looking to get involved in a great community event. 

    Host families are especially important, providing housing for players traveling from around the world and creating a welcoming environment throughout tournament week. Those who have supported the event in Battle Creek are encouraged to stay involved, while members of the Marshall community are invited to take part for the first time.

    “We are thrilled to bring this incredible event to The Medalist and continue growing its legacy,” said FireKeepers Casino Hotel CEO Frank Tecumseh. “While the location is new, our mission remains the same: to deliver world-class golf, exciting fan experiences, and meaningful support for our community.”

    The Medalist features a links-style course set across nearly 300 acres of rolling wooded terrain and wetlands. Players will enjoy a championship-level course, measuring almost 7,000 yards from the tips, designed in 1997–98 by Bill Newcomb, one of the region’s most respected architects.

    “The Medalist is proud to partner with FireKeepers Casino to host the 2026 FireKeepers Casino Epson Tour event. We are honored to continue the tradition they have built over the years, creating a memorable experience for both players and spectators. Our team looks forward to welcoming the future stars of the LPGA and seeing how they rise to the challenge of one of the region’s most dynamic courses,” said Lowell Weaver, owner of The Medalist Golf Club.

    The weekend also serves a larger purpose. Proceeds from the tournament benefit The Haven in Battle Creek, an organization providing shelter, meals, and recovery services for individuals and families facing hardship. Over the years, the event has become a meaningful way for the community to connect with and support that mission.

    For returning attendees, much of the appeal remains: free admission, walkable access to professional-level competition, and an up-close viewing experience that brings fans into the action.

    For Marshall, it’s an opportunity to host a well-established event that blends sport, community involvement, and charitable impact into a single weekend. More information is available at www.FireKeepersChampionship.com