CONWAY, Ark. — The Central Arkansas Open Professional Women's golf tournament is partnering with the women's golf program at the University of Central Arkansas to increase the engagement of women golfers in our community, extend our reach to women golfers throughout Central Arkansas and expand our mission of empowering women to dream without limits.   The 5^th annual Central Arkansas Open will be played at Centennial Valley Country Club the week of July 13, 2024.
 
Head coach Summar Roachell will work with the committee to promote the Junior Pro/Am event to juniors throughout Central Arkansas.  She will leverage her golf experience at Conway High School, the University of Arkansas and on the Women's All Pro Tour (WAPT) to help us connect with and inspire youth in Central Arkansas.  In return, the WAPT will give her exemptions to the tournament for two players on her team.
 
"I am very excited for Madison Holmes and Valeria Ramirez to be able to test their skills against the pros of the Annika Women's All Pro Tour. They have earned this opportunity through their excellent play this season," Roachell said. "When I took this job last year it was a goal of mine to impact our student athletes and show them that their dreams are possible. It fits right into the mission of this tournament, to empower women to dream without limits."
 
Those players, Holmes and Ramirez, each had stellar seasons for the Bears this year. Holmes finished as an All-ASUN golfer after leading the Bears this season. She also placed ninth in the ASUN Championship, her second-straight top-ten finish at the event.
 
"Most importantly, I'm thankful to be given this opportunity to compete in a WAPT event. I know Coach Roachell, Coach Witherell and a multitude of others have worked hard for me to have this opportunity, and I appreciate all that they do," Holmes said. "This being my first professional tournament, I'm excited to go out there and see where my game stacks up against others."
 
Ramirez, who just finished her sophomore season, finished in the top-20 three times, with a top-10 finish at the GolfWeek Fall Challenge. She capped her season with a stroke average of 75.00 and a season-best round of 70.
 
"I'm excited to be invited to compete in the Central Arkansas Open this July! It's a huge opportunity for my game and a new challenge," Ramirez said. "I'm grateful for my coaches, who are always supportive and pushing me towards success."
 
The 2024 Genesis of Conway Central Arkansas Open is more than a 4-day professional golf tournament. It is a week where Conway families open their homes to professional golfers from around the world competing for $55,000 in prize money with the hopes of making it to the LPGA and a life of professional golf.  
 
The Annika Women's All Pro Tour event will kick off with a Junior Pro/Am with a professional golfer teamed up with 3 junior golfers on Monday and will continue Tuesday with a Pro/Am event with local amateurs teaming up with professional women golfers.  The professional competition will begin on Wednesday and will conclude on Saturday with awards and check presentations to follow around 1 p.m.  The total tournament purse is $55,000.  Admission is free.