Anniversary Week to Feature Past Champions, Free Hats, Posters, Other Giveaways
RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF. (March 24, 2006) – The Kraft Nabisco Championship – one of professional golf’s most prestigious tournaments – turns 35 next week. To put that in perspective, Annika Sorenstam, the defending champion, was just a toddler in Stockholm when the tournament began in 1972.
The 2006 Kraft Nabisco Championship, held for the 35th year at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., will feature an exciting blend of favorite traditions and future trends. Nearly all of the tournament’s past champions will be on hand for the celebration, which will provide unique opportunities for fans to meet their favorite players. This year, the tournament will host a "Past Champions Autograph Tent," which will be located near the 18th hole at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course. The players will be at the Autograph Booth Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. The schedule for participating champions will be posted each day at the booth.
In addition, noted golf coaches Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott and national golf writer Ron Sirak will participate in a book-signing of their new book Every Shot Has a Purpose. Barnes and Noble will have the books for sale at the book-signing, set for 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Autograph Booth.
In addition, the tournament will give away 15,000 35th Anniversary Kraft Nabisco Championship commemorative hats. The hats will be handed out Tuesday through Sunday until supplies last.
Fans can also collect a free 35th anniversary poster featuring all 25 past champions. The commemorative posters will be available at Canyon National Bank’s booth at Vendor Village, located near the main clubhouse.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand, sponsored by Country Time Lemonade and Solo Cup Co., will raise funds for pediatric cancer research by offering free lemonade all week. All donations will be distributed to the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will be back with its annual putting contest, and fans can enjoy a "Taste of Kraft" with free samplings from California Pizza Kitchen, Boca Burgers, Jell-O, Balance Bars, Country Time On The Go and Crystal Light.
The week kicks off with the Toyota/Kraft Nabisco Championship $1 Million Hole-in-One Contest finals, set for Monday, March 27, at 4 p.m. at the Arnold Palmer Course. Ten finalists will be paired with ten LPGA professionals and take a shot at winning $1 million. The amateur closest to the pin will also win a new Toyota RAV4. The tournament’s annual Celebrity Contest for Charity featuring five celebrities paired with five LPGA players precedes the hole-in-one contest.
Tuesday and Wednesday will feature the annual Celebrity Pro-Am tournament and Senior Appreciation Days with all adults aged 55 and older receiving free admission. This year’s celebrity field includes Kraft Nabisco newcomers Steve Garvey and George Lopez and returning Pittsburgh Steeler Ben Roethlisberger.
Of course, the real highlight of the week will be the golf action by some of the best professional and amateur women golfers in the world, including Sorenstam, Ai Miyazato, Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Cristie Kerr, Meena Lee and nearly 100 other elite players. The stars of the LPGA pick up their sticks and play for the tournament’s $1.8 million purse Thursday, March 30, through Sunday, April 2.
Saturday, April 1, is traditionally Family Day at Mission Hills and this year is no exception. Kids aged 17 and under receive free admission and a junior golf clinic featuring LPGA teaching professionals will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the country club’s driving range.
"Over the past 35 years, the Kraft Nabisco Championship has witnessed the steady growth of women’s golf, including substantial increases in prize money, the number and quality of sponsors on the LPGA Tour, and the emergence of exciting new talent," said Terry Wilcox, Kraft Nabisco Championship tournament director. "We’ve also weathered many changes of our own, starting off the first year as a 54-hole tournament and eventually growing in status and stature until the LPGA designated us as a major tournament in 1983. The Kraft Nabisco Championship benefited enormously from the popularity and patronage of Dinah Shore for the first 22 years of its history. Since her passing, we have honored her many contributions to women’s golf while ensuring the tournament’s long-term viability amidst the reality of today’s professional sports world.
"The Kraft Nabisco Championship has worked hard to create a Tournament Week like no other for our 35th anniversary. We have a lot of exciting activities planned and we hope the general public will support the fantastic players on the LPGA Tour by coming out to watch them play." Tickets to the tournament are available at the gate, or at Lumpy’s in Cathedral City and La Quinta throughout Tournament Week. Tickets can also be purchased online through TicketMaster by visiting the tournament’s official Web site at www.KNCGOLF.com.
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