Clifton, N.J. – Tournament officials for the Sybase Classic presented by ShopRite have announced that 2002 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Beth Bauer has accepted the title sponsor’s exemption to play in the 2007 Tournament. The 18th annual LPGA tournament runs May 14 – 20, 2007 at Upper Montclair Country Club.
"Beth Bauer is a rising young golfer with tremendous talent," said Raj Nathan, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Sybase, Inc. "Her participation in the Tournament with a field of world-class golfers will make this more challenging for everyone involved and we are very pleased to have her compete."
Bauer’s invitation to play in the Tournament comes after the announcement that Bri Vega, winner of "Big Break VI: Trump National," will play as a sponsor’s exemption.
"Beth is a great addition to our field. Her strong finish at this Tournament in 2006 and her history as the Rookie of the Year made her a strong candidate for an exemption," said Michael Ryan, Tournament Director.
Bauer finished T11 in the 2006 Sybase Classic. In 2002, she won the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year by 155 points over Natalie Gulbis with six top-10 finishes and 15 top-20s. Her career best finish was at the 2002 Jamie Farr Kroger Classic where she finished second.
Bauer is a graduate of Duke University where she led her team to the 1999 NCAA Championship and earned All-American status in 1999 – 2000. She was a two-time member of the U.S. Curtis Cup Team, in 1998 and 2000.
2006 LPGA Rolex Player of the Year and Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year Lorena Ochoa is the Tournament’s defending champion. Past champions include LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Famers Beth Daniel and Juli Inkster, and two-time champions Annika Sorenstam and Betsy King.
For more information on the Sybase Classic, please visit www.sybaseclassic.com.
ABOUT SYBASE
Sybase is the largest global enterprise software company exclusively focused on managing and mobilizing information from the data center to the point of action. Sybase provides open, cross-platform solutions that securely deliver information anytime, anywhere, enabling customers to create an information edge. The world’s most critical data in commerce, communications, finance, government and healthcare runs on Sybase. For more information, visit the Sybase Web site: http://www.sybase.com.
ABOUT THE LADIES PROFESSIONAL GOLF ASSOCIATION
Featuring the world’s best women golfers, the LPGA’s membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2007 features 35 events, with total prize money of nearly $55 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised approximately $180 million for charity. From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world’s pre-eminent women’s professional sports organization. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information, log on to www.LPGA.com.
ABOUT OCTAGON
Octagon is the world’s largest sports and entertainment representation and marketing agency with global expertise in consulting, athletes & personalities, event management, property representation, marketing solutions, licensing and merchandising and talent procurement. As part of The Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), one of the world’s leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services, Octagon employs more than 1,000 people in 60 offices around the world. Octagon’s Golf Division manages two Champions Tour events, three LPGA Tour events and one Nationwide Tour event. Additionally, Octagon’s Golf Division represents nearly 20 golfing professionals including Natalie Gulbis and Beth Daniel, and the marketing rights to Davis Love III and brothers, Bobby and Lanny Wadkins.
Contact:
Michael Ryan, Tournament Director, Octagon (203) 354-7514 or michael.ryan@octagon.com
Mark Francois, Marketing and Communications Manager, Octagon (239) 593-3900 ext. 222 or mark.francois@octagon.com
Joan Fronske, Public Relations, Sybase (925) 236-4893 or joan.fronske@sybase.com