Local Teen To Play With Pros

Emmy Martin, a rising senior at Tampa’s Academy of the Holy Names, has accepted an invitation to play in Tampa’s stop on the LPGA’s Symetra Tour. The exemption will allow Martin – an amateur - to play in her first professional event. 

“We are delighted that Emmy will make her first appearance in a professional event in her hometown,” said IOA Golf Classic tournament director Tim Kramer.  “The spirit of the Symetra Tour is to provide playing opportunities for the future stars of the game, and we hope this experience greatly benefits Emmy as she prepares for the next level of competition.” 

Emmy, 17, is coming off her second straight district and region individual titles and verbally committed to attend Texas Christian University beginning in 2014. She is currently ranked by Golfweek as the ninth best high school girl’s golfer in the state of Florida, and has named all-Hillsborough County multiple times by both the Tampa Times and Tampa Tribune. Emmy and her parents, Bill and Nancy, live in Odessa. Her brothers Willi and Derek were standout athletes at Jesuit High School and Tampa Catholic, respectively, and currently play college baseball.

The 2013 IOA Golf Classic will be contested Aug. 6-11 on the Island course at Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor. Competition rounds are Friday, Aug. 9 through Sunday, Aug. 11. The Symetra Tour is the main developmental tour of the LPGA.  The tour's 2013 schedule includes 15 tournaments and more than $1.6 million in purses. 

Visit www.ioagolfclassic.com for more information.