(Grand Rapids)—After a successful inaugural last summer the Founders Challenge women’s golf event returns this weekend at two area golf courses. The challenge, which features 24 top women amateur golfers, begins Saturday, August 5 with six four-ball matches at The Meadows Golf Club at Grand Valley State University in Allendale. It concludes the next day with 12 singles matches at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada.
"We were delighted with last year’s event and we think the 2006 competition will equal or surpass it," said Laurie Beard, president and chief executive officer of Founders Bank & Trust of Grand Rapids. "Last year’s matches were highly competitive and were a great showcase for women’s amateur golf in Michigan."
In the inaugural Founders event in 2005, the Public Course team, captained by Michigan State women’s golf coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, bested the Private Club team headed by Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Joan Garety. ‘I know Joan wants to raise the trophy Sunday at her home club," said Slobodnik. "I think both sides are very talented, and looking at the rosters it’s hard to see if one team has an edge. They’re both filled with great golfers."
One notable addition to the Private Club team is Lindsay Davis of the University of Michigan, who won the Michigan Amateur earlier this summer. "Lindsay really showed how good she was at Barton Hills," said Garety. "She’s extremely competitive and is very excited about playing here." The event will also feature the three individual state high school champions from this past spring: Shannon Warner of Livonia Churchill (Division I), Allison Tyler of Forest Hills Central (Division II) and Laura Kueny of Whitehall (Division III). Kueny, who will play next year at Michigan State, was also the 2006 Michigan "Miss Golf" award winner.
The Founders Challenge will welcome spectators to both sites free of charge. Play begins at 8 a.m. at The Meadows on Saturday, August 5, with tee times starting at Egypt Valley at 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 6.
Contact:
Tom Cleary
(616) 915-4267
Email: tjcleary@aol.com
Terry Moore
(616) 247-1931
Email: tmoore@usxchange.net
