Jackie Lucena, 2025 ANNIKA WAPT Top 5, Begins 2026 Epson Tour Season on Home Soil

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The first swing of the Epson Tour season returns to the Sunshine State with the Atlantic Beach Classic presented by Access Golf.

Hosted in Jacksonville, the tournament carries a hometown feel for several local players— including 2025 ANNIKA WAPT standout Jackie Lucena. 

Lucena is no stranger to Atlantic Beach Country Club. The University of Florida alum finished No. 5 on the 2025 Callaway Race to Qualifying standings after a standout season that included her first professional victory at the United Way Classic, along with four additional top-10 finishes.

This week’s event carries even more meaning for Lucena. Not only is the Atlantic Beach Classic in her backyard, but she also serves as one of Atlantic Beach Country Club’s tour ambassadors.

“The Atlantic Beach Country Club gives nine tour ambassador spots to PGA, Korn Ferry, LPGA and Epson Tour players, so I’m lucky enough to be one of those girls,” Lucena said. “We’re allowed to play and practice out here — we pretty much have a full membership, which is so awesome.”

With the first round set to begin Thursday, March 5, Lucena says there’s a comfort level that doesn’t often exist in professional golf.

“I’m really excited to be playing here as my home course for the first week,” she said. “I get to sleep in my own bed, I don’t have to travel, and I get to compete on a course I’m really comfortable with. I’ve been practicing out here for the past four or five months, so having that kind of familiarity is rare in tournament golf. I’m really looking forward to the week.”

For more information on the Atlantic Beach Classic or to follow the leaderboard, visit the Epson Tour’s website.

Marissa McCardell

ANNIKA WAPT Media & Communications 

marissa@kgsportsco.com