SOUTH BEND — The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and Four Winds Casinos announced Wednesday the schedule of events for the 2017 Four Winds Invitational, which takes place June 9 through June 11 at Blackthorn Golf Club in South Bend.

The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Symetra Tour — Road to the LPGA.

Pokagon Band leadership, executives from Four Winds Casinos and Blackthorn Golf Club made the announcement as part of the tournament’s Sponsor and Media Day, held today at Blackthorn Golf Club.

Included in the scheduled events are three separate 18-hole Pro-Ams, which pair professional golfers with amateurs, a 9-hole Daddy/Daughter tournament, and Women’s Golf Clinic 101, a skills clinic sponsored by Kelly Cares Foundation. Other highlights include the Four Winds Invitational 5K Run and Fun Walk and the Four Winds Invitational Tournament.

The LPGA Symetra Tour brings female golfers from over 30 countries to compete throughout the year to become the next generation of professional golfers. At the end of the Symetra tour, the top 10 money winners “graduate” to become members of the national LPGA tour.

“Ask any of the professional players and they will tell you that the Four Winds Invitational is among the best tournaments on the LPGA’s Symetra Tour each year,” said Tim Firestone, owner and general manager of Blackthorn Golf Club. “There’s simply no question that the Pokagon Band and their Four Winds Casinos, along with all of our sponsors and volunteers who work so tirelessly to put this tournament on every year, are due all the credit.”

“On behalf of all Four Winds Casinos employees, we are proud to once again be the title sponsor for the 2017 Four Winds Invitational” said Frank Freedman, chief operating officer of Four Winds Casinos. “We look forward to working with the LPGA, Blackthorn Golf Club and all the other sponsors on a successful tournament.”

“Supporting this tournament for the past five years is an example of how we feel about our homeland. This tournament brings people to one of the finest places in America’s Midwest. It’s good for everyone who lives here,” said John P. Warren, chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. “We’re proud to promote women’s sports; women hold an important place in Potawatomi culture. And over the past five years, over $300,000 of the money raised from this event has been used to help support the children of our community who need or will need specialized medical services.”

Admission is free. Attendees can show up any day of the Four Winds Invitational and proceed directly to the golf course without a ticket. Complimentary admission is courtesy of Martin’s Supermarkets.

For more information on the Four Winds Invitational, contact Ben Mesaros of Blackthorn Golf Club at (574) 232-4653 or via email, ben@blackthorngolf.com. Additional information on the Four Winds Invitational is available at fourwindsinvitational.com.