Colorado Springs, Colo. – The United States Golf Association (USGA) and Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, co-hosts of the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open Championship, guarantee that kids will get a close look at the worlds greatest women golfers from the front row of all grandstands when the national Championship comes to Southern Pines, N.C., June 25 – July 1.
Kids Get a Front Row Seat is a part of the Catch the Spirit program which encourages kids 17 and under to attend the Championship and participate in numerous junior exhibitions throughout the week. In addition to premier seating, juniors are invited to the Catch the Spirit Junior Tent to receive a goodie bag with giveaways. They will also have access to an Inside the Ropes Course Tour and a juniors-only practice putting course all week.
Catch the Spirit began in 1991 as an effort to attract more youth and families to the game of golf and to USGA Championships. The goal of the program is to provide exposure to the game – its rich history, heroes, and lessons to a new generation of golfers. This is the 17th consecutive year this special program for juniors has been part of the U.S. Women’s Open. Catch the Spirit is part of the USGA’s ongoing effort to support initiatives that make golf more affordable, accessible, and fun for the game’s newest players. This includes a $65 million commitment to support programs and projects that are consistent with these goals.
As part of the Catch the Spirit program during the U.S. Womens Open, juniors 17 and under will receive:
Complimentary admission to the Championship when accompanied by a ticketed adult
Front-row seating in all on-course grandstands the entire week
Lunch Voucher
Catch the Spirit hat
A chance to hone skills and have fun on a putting green set up just for juniors
Inside the Ropes Course Tour
Other special events will be offered Tuesday and Wednesday:
Tuesday, June 26 1 p.m. Dennis Walters Golf Show
Wednesday, June 27 1 p.m. Patty Berg Swing Parade featuring golf legends Donna Andrews, Peggy Kirk Bell and Kathy Whitworth
All clinics will be located at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club driving range. The Catch the Spirit Junior Tent will be open Monday thru Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expanded tent hours will be offered on the days of championship play: Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For additional information on Catch the Spirit, please contact Amanda Wilson at the USGA Grants and Fellowship office at (719) 471-4810 ext. 22. For tickets and more information on the 2007 U.S. Womens Open Championship, or to purchase tickets, please visit our Web site at www.2007uswomensopen.com.
Contact:
Beth Murrison (bmurrison@usga.org)
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