Amateur Player Garners Exemption to Circling Raven Championship, a Symetra Tour Event

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe today announces that through its partnership with the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship (NB3 JGNC), it has bestowed the 2020 Girls 14-18 age group winner with an exemption into next summer's Circling Raven Championship, a Symetra "Road to the LPGA" Tour event.

Allyn Stephens earned the distinction by winning the national title at the NB3 JGNC last week. Circling Raven Golf Club - the acclaimed public course in Northern Idaho and amenity of Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel - will be the playing venue for the professional women's tournament that will begin a three-year run with the inaugural event next summer.

"I am so thankful to the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe for giving me this incredible opportunity to test my game against some of the world's best players," said Stephens, from Houston, Texas, who shot 74-65-69 to finish 8 under par in the NB3 JGNC. "It has always been my dream to play professional golf and I can't wait to get to Idaho next summer to play in the Circling Raven Championship."

The Circling Raven Championship's partnership with NB3 JGNC is ideally aligned. A popular professional golf broadcaster, Begay is a Native American and erstwhile PGA Tour member who has dedicated himself, among other things, to promoting opportunities for youth through golf. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe has used its award-winning golf course similarly and chose to host the Circling Raven Championship to empower youth, women, and Native Americans through the game. In addition to Begay's Junior Tour champion, Stephens, the Tribe has provided a 2021 sponsor exemption to Gabby Lemieux, a Native American and Symetra Tour member.

"The Coeur d'Alene Tribe's mission is to educate and celebrate the traditions, values and history of our people," said Coeur d'Alene Casino CEO Laura Penney, MBA. "Partnering with the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship at the Circling Raven Championship meshes perfectly with our mission. Supporting the dreams and aspirations of young people and women golfers through the Symetra 'Road to the LPGA' Tour benefits all parties involved."

Said Begay: "I must give special thanks to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and its leadership for providing this unique opportunity."

The Circling Raven Championship (CRC) will be held Aug. 23-29, 2021 and feature a full field of competitors battling for $200,000 in prize money. Symetra Tour graduates have had great success on the LPGA, winning multiple events, including Major Championships. Nelly Korda, Inbee Park, and Lorena Ochoa are some of the many illustrious players who reached the LPGA through the Symetra Tour.

For more details about the Circling Raven Championship, Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, and stay-and-play packages at Circling Raven, call 1.800.523.2464.