HONOLULU, HAWAIIâ?¦..Kimberly Kim, 15 year old Big Island of Hawaii golfer and holder of the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur title (youngest to win at age 14 years and 11 months) has been granted a Sponsor’s Exemption to play in the LPGA’s kickoff tournament of the 2007 season, the SBS OPEN at Turtle Bay February 12-17, according to Ray Stosik, executive director of the tournament.
Kim, who was also Runner-Up in the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, currently resides in Arizona. She will be playing for her first time in an LPGA professional event with a field of over 130 leading women players in the world such as Lorena Ochoa, the LPGA Player of the Year, Joo Mi Kim of Korea, the defending champion, Ai Miyazato of Japan and many others. "The $1,100,000 SBS OPEN brings national and international exposure to Hawaii through the Golf Channel, through the Korea and Asia network of Title Sponsor, SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) and via other global television outlets, February 15, 16 and 17," Stosik adds.
There will be a cut after two rounds with the best 70 scores and ties playing 18 holes for the championship first prize of $165,000. Site of the tournament is the championship Arnold Palmer- designed 6,563 yard par-72 course – one of two premier courses on the over 800 acre Turtle Bay resort on Oahu’s North shore near picturesque Kahuku and Haleiwa Town.
The 2007 SBS OPEN tournament is the third year of a five year sponsoring agreement between Korea’s leading independent television broadcast network, the LPGA TOUR and the SBS OPEN event. Jennifer Rosales, originally from the Philippines, was the champion of the 2005 tournament.
For additional Tournament information contact 808-792-9333 or by website: www.sbsopen.com.
Contact:
Bill Bachran
545-1588; 523-7888
