The LPGA partners with GameKast to boost the financial potential of the Epson Tour

The GIST: Golfers on the Epson Tour are about to hit the putting green and the screen. After going years without broadcasts, the LPGA qualifying competition partnered with GameKast yesterday to boost the financial potential of the Epson Tour and fellow feeder leagues.

The broadcaster: GameKast specializes in broadcasting amateur sports on its mobile streaming service GKLive.TV. The company holds the rights to much of the NCAA’s golf slate through its GolfKast Series, including the Division III women’s golf championship.

The details: The Epson Tour’s deal with GameKast tees off at Michigan’s Island Resort Championship on June 23rd. The streamer will also show three more events during the season — August’s French Lick Charity Classic, September’s Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, and October’s Epson Tour Championship. Fully booked.

The context: Secondary competitions like the Epson Tour are carving out their niches by scoring broadcast agreements. ESPN holds the rights to the NBA G League and the United Soccer League, while the USL W League — a third-division women’s soccer league — has a global streaming deal with Eleven Sports.

Zooming out: GameKast’s deal with the Epson Tour is likely a modest one, but can serve as a building block for the tour to cultivate an audience and sponsors. Both fans and brands are flocking to the LPGA these days, signaling opportunity for everyone in the women’s golf world. If you build it…