Photo by: Emily Kish / Jax State
Freshman Golfer to Make Pro Debut Tomorrow
9/10/2026 11:04:00 AM | Women's Golf
JACKSONVILLE--Jax State freshman Julie Waldo received a sponsor's exemption to the Guardian Championship, part of the Epson Tour which serves as the pathway to the LPGA Tour.
The Guardian Championship is a 54-hole event that takes place over three days at RTJ Capitol Hill's Senator Course, which is Waldo's home course. Sunbelt Golf Corporation, which operates the RTJ Trail including Jax State's home course of Silver Lakes, provided the exemption to the Prattville native to play in the event on her home course.
A total of 120 golfers will be in the field.
"This is such an exciting opportunity for Julie to compete with players who have had amazing success at the collegiate level where she is just beginning," said Jax State Director of Golf Robbie Fields. "She has worked so hard to accomplish a lot in her junior career, and because of that I believe she is prepared to compete at these higher levels. It is special to have such great support and recognition from Sunbelt Golf Corporation, who partner with us for our home course at the RTJ Trail at Silver Lakes, to provide an opportunity like this for Julie. We look forward to seeing her perform with the professionals before she joins us to officially begin her college career Monday."
Waldo will tee off at 12:57 Friday with Siyan Chen and Carley Cox Pruette.
She and Auburn senior Anna Davis are the only two amateurs in the field with Davis also receiving the tour sponsor invitation.
Jax State grad Claire Vermette, who made her Epson Tour debut with the same exemption, will also be in the field with a 7:11 a.m. tee time off Hole 10.
The three-time state champion will leave her professional debut and head straight to her collegiate debut, catching a flight to Greenville immediately following the tournament to participate in the Pirate Collegiate Classic at Greenville Country Club in North Carolina.
The Guardian Championship is a 54-hole event that takes place over three days at RTJ Capitol Hill's Senator Course, which is Waldo's home course. Sunbelt Golf Corporation, which operates the RTJ Trail including Jax State's home course of Silver Lakes, provided the exemption to the Prattville native to play in the event on her home course.
A total of 120 golfers will be in the field.
"This is such an exciting opportunity for Julie to compete with players who have had amazing success at the collegiate level where she is just beginning," said Jax State Director of Golf Robbie Fields. "She has worked so hard to accomplish a lot in her junior career, and because of that I believe she is prepared to compete at these higher levels. It is special to have such great support and recognition from Sunbelt Golf Corporation, who partner with us for our home course at the RTJ Trail at Silver Lakes, to provide an opportunity like this for Julie. We look forward to seeing her perform with the professionals before she joins us to officially begin her college career Monday."
Waldo will tee off at 12:57 Friday with Siyan Chen and Carley Cox Pruette.
She and Auburn senior Anna Davis are the only two amateurs in the field with Davis also receiving the tour sponsor invitation.
Jax State grad Claire Vermette, who made her Epson Tour debut with the same exemption, will also be in the field with a 7:11 a.m. tee time off Hole 10.
The three-time state champion will leave her professional debut and head straight to her collegiate debut, catching a flight to Greenville immediately following the tournament to participate in the Pirate Collegiate Classic at Greenville Country Club in North Carolina.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
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