Amari Avery Makes History With First Professional Victory On The Epson Tour
Former teen phenom is now all grown up with aspirations to excel on the LPGA Tour
For Immediate Release:
Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon: April 28, 2026
Contact: Leland Hardy – Strivers Row Media, Inc.
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April 28, 2026 – Beaumont, CA /Strivers Row Media/:
Who: Amari Avery
What: History-Making First Professional Golf Victory
When: The 2026 IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort and Spa
Where: Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon • Beaumont, CA
Why: To inspire the next generation of young golfers to grow the game and to make it accessible for all
Rising golf phenom Amari Avery has secured her first professional victory, capturing the title at the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa on the Epson Tour. The milestone win represents a defining moment in Avery’s young career and signals her arrival as a formidable force in professional golf. Moreover, with her win, she became the first African American golfer in history to sit atop the Epson Tour’s “Race for the Card” cumulative points listing in the season-long competition through which LPGA Tour cards are earned for the ensuing LPGA Tour season.
Avery delivered a poised and commanding performance throughout the IOA Championship, finishing atop a competitive leaderboard and demonstrating the composure, precision, and resilience that have made her one of the most closely watched emerging talents in the game.
“This victory means everything,” said Avery. “To earn my first professional win on the Epson Tour, surrounded by such incredible competition, is a dream realized and a stepping stone toward even greater goals,” she continued.
The IOA Championship, hosted in partnership with Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, is one of the premier events on the Epson Tour schedule, attracting top-tier talent from around the world. Avery’s triumph not only earns her an historic berth atop the Race for the Card standings, but also strengthened her position in pursuit of an LPGA Tour card for the 2027 season where even more history almost certainly awaits her arrival on the scene.
Widely regarded as one of the brightest young stars in golf, Avery has built a reputation for her dynamic play and competitive edge. Her victory at the IOA Championship marks the culmination of years of dedication and signals the beginning of what many anticipate will be a standout professional career. Many will remember her as a precocious youngster who starred in the Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel produced hit documentary film, “The Short Game,” which was a harbinger of things to come for the young starlet. “It’s incredible – I think I was only like 8 or 9 years old when the movie came out and fans still come up to me to this day mentioning it and asking for autographs. I’m just so happy that I can put a smile on fans’ faces any way I can,” Avery stated humbly.
see: https://tinyurl.com/AmariAlonaAveryTheShortGame
Fans and supporters across the golf community celebrated Avery’s win, with highlights and reactions shared widely across social media, including coverage and posts from the Epson Tour’s official channels see https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXnfPjujcby/
Tournament Highlights
Event: The 2026 Edition of the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa
Tour: Epson Tour
Winner: Amari Avery
Achievement: First professional victory
Historical Significance: The First African American to sit atop the Epson Tour’s “Race For The Card” – A major advancement toward LPGA Tour qualification
With less than a day’s rest after her maiden professional victory, Avery came up just a tad bit short in yesterday’s qualifying tournament at Arizona Country Club in Phoenix, AZ for the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open taking place near her home at Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, CA from June 4-7, 2026. She was one of only five golfers under par in the 36-hole test of endurance and will, but only two golfers advance to the U.S. Women’s Open from each qualifying site. That disappointment notwithstanding, she holds out hope that the Golf Gods will remember her and her sister Alona’s first visit to Riviera Country Club some eleven years ago—a moment captured in the photograph below—and will smile upon her with a special exemption into the field, perhaps divinely ordained to complete the circle, as it were.
Photo credit: © Leland Hardy / Strivers Row Media. Editorial use permitted with attribution. Licensing required for all other uses.
About Amari Avery
Amari Avery is one of the most promising young talents in professional golf. A standout amateur career, including a record-setting stint at the University of Southern California, two berths at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, a Curtis Cup team victory for the United States in which she scored Team USA’s first point, Southern California Junior PGA Tour “Player of the Year” honors, myriad golf records, and a successful transition to the professional ranks have positioned her as a future star on the global stage. Known for her athleticism, focus, friendliness, approachability, articulateness, poise, and competitive drive, Avery continues to build momentum as she climbs the ranks of professional golf.
About the Epson Tour
The Epson Tour is the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA, serving as the primary pathway for the world’s top female golfers to reach the highest level of competition. It is where players earn LPGA Tour Membership through the Epson Tour’s Race for the Card. From 1999-2002, LPGA Tour cards were awarded to the top 3 individuals on the season’s money list. Beginning in 2024, 15 LPGA cards were distributed to the top points earners from the season. Each regular season event offers the winner 500 points, and the Epson Tour Championship offers 650 points as the season finale. Since the inaugural year, 207 players have graduated from the Epson Tour and advanced to the LPGA Tour.
Image Usage Rights
The accompanying photograph is © Leland Hardy / Strivers Row Media and may be used solely for editorial coverage of this release with proper attribution. All other uses require express written permission.
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