Prattville, Alabama – September 12–14, 2025 — For the rising talents of the Epson Tour, the Guardian Championship is more than a tournament. It is a trial by fire, three days at the Senator Course of Capitol Hill, where the reward isn’t just a trophy but a possible ticket to the LPGA Tour.
Here in Prattville, dreams are either accelerated or stalled. The Senator doesn’t coddle. It demands precision, grit, and an unwavering ability to make the right choice under pressure. Those who can conquer it often prove themselves ready for golf’s brightest stage.
The Course: A Links Beast in the Deep South
Unlike anything else in Alabama, the Senator is pure links-style. Over 140 pot-hole bunkers, massive dunes rising 20–40 feet, and fairways that play both wide and deceptive. Every hole feels like an island, shielded from its neighbors by towering mounds. It’s beautiful to the eye but daunting to the player.
Yardage alone — 6,663 yards, par-72 — doesn’t tell the story. The Senator is about elements. The wind cuts across its open stretches, swirling unpredictably. The bunkers don’t just catch shots; they bury them. And the greens, large but tiered, force players to hit exact landing spots or risk three-putts.
Signature Holes
- No. 1 (Par 4, 415 yards) — A dramatic opening tee shot plunges nearly 200 feet. Intimidating, exhilarating, and a tone-setter.
- No. 6 (Par 3, 229 yards) — A beast of a par-3, requiring a long iron to an island-like green. Miss left or right, and bogey feels generous.
- No. 7 (Par 5, 675 yards) — A test of patience. Only the disciplined walk away with birdie. The impatient often crumble.
- No. 10 (Par 5, 711 yards) — One of the longest holes in professional golf. Strategy, stamina, and courage collide here.
- No. 11 (Par 4, 478 yards) — A tee shot that dares players to be bold. Reward on the left, safety on the right — the classic risk-reward dilemma.
- No. 18 (Par 4, 358 yards) — A picturesque finisher framed by a waterfall. For the leader on Sunday, beauty will mask nerves of steel.
The Contenders
Fátima Fernández Cano arrives as the defending champion after a hard-fought win in 2024. Her ability to stay steady under pressure was the difference, and she’ll need that same composure again this week.
Behind her is a roster of proven champions and hungry challengers:
- Cydney Clanton (2023) — A veteran whose experience may be invaluable in navigating Senator’s traps.
- María Torres (2022) — Precision player, dangerous if her irons are dialed in.
- Janie Jackson (2021) — The Alabama native, a local favorite, who knows the nuances of this course.
- Rising rookies — Many arrive knowing a strong week here could vault them into LPGA contention. That hunger often translates into fearless golf.
Past Champions
- 2024 – Fátima Fernández Cano (–14)
- 2023 – Cydney Clanton (–17)
- 2022 – María Torres (–14)
- 2021 – Janie Jackson (–12, shortened 36 holes)
- 2019 – Laura Restrepo (–14)
- 2018 – Kendall Dye (–16)
- 2017 – Lindsey Weaver (–12)
What Makes This Championship Different
On the LPGA Tour, victories mean trophies and prestige. On the Epson Tour, wins mean something even more tangible: promotion. Each stroke at Prattville is a career opportunity, a step toward financial stability and international recognition.
The Guardian Championship, coming so late in the season, often decides who earns those coveted LPGA cards. It is pressure condensed into three rounds. And it is why players call it one of the Epson Tour’s defining tests.
Final Word
The Guardian Championship is golf stripped to its essentials: courage, precision, and the relentless pressure of knowing every shot could alter your future.
The Senator Course will not yield easily. It will test, it will punish, and ultimately, it will reveal. By Sunday afternoon, one player will walk away not just with a trophy, but with validation — proof that she is ready for the LPGA stage.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and reporting purposes only. Scores, results, and details will be updated as play concludes.
