(Grand Rapids, Michigan)—Golf fans in the state of Michigan were disappointed when the birth of his daughter caused Tiger Woods to miss the 2007 Buick Open. But the imminent arrival of a new family member (a husband) is prompting Michigan State’s Rachel Meikle to play in the Founders Challenge in west Michigan on August 4-5.
Under usual circumstances, the Big Ten women’s individual champion would be gearing her summer toward earning a spot in the U.S. Amateur championship to be held in August in her home state of Indiana at Crooked Stick. But as she’s been planning her wedding in late August to former MSU golfer Casey Lubahn, Rachel decided against entering the Amateur in 2007. Instead, she’ll join MSU women’s coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll and several other current or former Spartan golfers at the Founders Challenge. "It’s been quite a year for Rachel," said Slobodnik-Stoll. "Her play in winning the conference was fantastic and it continued on at the NCAA championship." Meikle won the Big Ten title at MSU’s Forest Akers with a four-round total of four-under par 284, good for a nine-shot victory. It capped an amazing comeback for the senior from Ft. Wayne, Indiana, who got her game turned completely around after some struggles earlier in the year.
At the Founders Challenge, she’ll see some of the top amateur talent in Michigan, with players from four other Big Ten schools taking part, along with other top college golfers from Louisville, Toledo, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Grand Valley and Ferris State. The event features private club and public course teams of twelve players each squaring off on August 4 in matches at The Meadows Golf Club in Allendale, followed by Sunday singles matches at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada. Sponsored by Founders Bank & Trust of Grand Rapids, the event this year will feature senior amateur stars like Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Joan Garety, as well as current Michigan high school state champions Shannon Warner of Livonia Churchill and Kristina Langton of Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
"We’re pleased with the field of participants for the event and the skill level of this year’s group is just amazing," said Laurie Beard, president and chief executive officer of Founders Bank & Trust. "We can’t wait to get started!"
The event sponsor since its inception, Founders Bank & Trust (www.foundersbt.com) is a locally owned community bank specializing in tailored relationship banking with offices in Grand Rapids, Grandville and Traverse City. Besides Founders Bank & Trust, additional event sponsorship is provided by golf industry clothing leader Fairway & Greene, international direct-sales giant Alticor, and Winners, Inc.
And as Tiger Woods looks forward to spending more time in Florida with his new daughter, Rachel Meikle will get to bond with her future extended-family in west Michigan. Her fiancé is from Cedar Springs, just north of Grand Rapids, and is expected to bring a considerable cheering section for his wife-to-be to the Founders Challenge. "Planning a wedding is real pressure," says Stacy-Slobodnik-Stoll. "For Rachel, playing in the Founders Challenge will be like a weekend at the beach!"
Contact:
Tom Cleary (tjcleary@aol.com, 616-915-4267)
Terry Moore (terry_moore@comcast.net, 616-247-1931)
