Former University of Arizona Star Records First LPGA Tour Win
(Vancouver, BC, Canada) — Linda Hipp, founder and principal designer of the popular golf and sportswear brand LIJA, announces that Tour Style Leader Leta Lindley captured the LPGA Corning Classic this past weekend while wearing a variety of pieces from the company’s Spring 2008 collection.
One of eight elite players from the LPGA, Futures and Ladies European Tours participating in the 2008 LIJA Tour Style Leaders program, Lindley posted a final-round 67 to secure a playoff spot against world No. 8 Jeong Jang. On the first extra hole, the 35-year-old mother of two drained a six-foot birdie putt to become the event’s ninth first-time champion. The win moved Lindley to ninth place on the ADT Points list, one spot behind fellow LIJA Tour Style Leader Christina Kim.
“Leta is one of the many Tour players that embody the LIJA woman,” says Hipp. “She’s a talented professional and devoted mother who is committed to looking and performing her best both on and off the course. We’re so happy to have been a part of this tremendous moment in her life.”
“I know I’m working hard, but I do have two children so it’s little more challenging for me,” said Lindley. “There’s new talent coming out each year, and it just gets tougher and tougher. So to win this year, my 14th season on tour, with the talent as great as it is really makes it so special.”
In addition to Lindley and Kim, other participants in the 2008 Tour Style Leaders program include Marisa Baena, Courtney Erdman, Jennifer Greggain, Brenda McLarnon, Jane Park and Georgina Simpson. Each player is outfitted with an expansive selection of LIJA products to wear on and off the course. They are also entered into a season-long competition for a Grand Prize valued at $25,000, consisting of a cash bonus and apparel sponsorship for the 2009 playing season, among other components.
LIJA is a staple in finer golf and non-golf retailers across North America, including world-renowned resorts and clubs like Pebble Beach, Kiawah Island and Whistling Straights. The Spring 2008 collections are currently available in stores and online.
For Fall 2008, LIJA has introduced six vibrant collections fusing sport, leisure and fashion with unique color stories, chic details and an expanded range of outerwear across more than 200 pieces. Shipping of these collections will continue through December.
For more information, call 888.263.1191 or visit www.lijastyle.com.
About LIJA
LIJA is a market leader in fashion-forward styles featuring feminine and comfortable silhouettes inspired by the fusion of sport, leisure and fashion. The brand’s distinctive excellence is driven by LIJA’s passion, commitment and dedication to creating innovative designs.
Having received significant recognition within and outside the golf industry, LIJA has achieved organic annual sales growth of at least 50 percent every year. Enjoying a rapidly expanding sales force and account base in North America, LIJA recently began selling into the UK, Ireland, South Africa and United Arab Emirates markets.
Recent recognition for the company includes:
* 2007 “Business of the Year” — Richmond Chamber of Commerce
* 2007 PGA Magazine — Resort Top Seller
* 2007 PGA Magazine — Private Course Top Seller
* 2007 Best of Show Honors at PGA Show — Golfing Magazine
* 2007 PROFIT 100 Rankings of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies
* 2006 PROFIT W100 Ranking of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs
* 2006 Business in Vancouver “BC’s 50 Fastest-Growing Companies”
* 2005 Canadian Golf Company of the Year — Score Golf magazine
Individually, Linda Hipp has been honored as a grant recipient of the Matinee Fashion Foundation Award, which annually recognizes and funds select Canadian designers, and voted a “40 Under 40” winner by Business in Vancouver.
An avid and highly-skilled golfer, Hipp struggled to find on-course apparel that meshed with her off-course fashion sensibility. Recognizing a market opportunity — and the chance to combine her passions for fashion, golf and business — Hyp Golf was launched in July 1997. The company re-branded as LIJA in late 2004. Chiefly influenced by both European trends and West Coast style, Hipp has garnered a widespread reputation as one of North America’s hottest sportswear designers.
Contact:
Andrea Latta
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3383
alatta@billycaspergolf.com
