Amateurs to compete at Langdon Farms Golf Club for coveted exemption
AURORA, Ore. – Tournament Golf Foundation (TGF), the organizers of the Safeway Classic Presented by Coca-Cola (Safeway Classic), announce a unique event that will guarantee a spot in the prestigious LPGA event to the winner of a one day amateur qualifying tournament.
The Safeway Classic Amateur Open will be held at Langdon Farms Golf Club in Aurora, OR (fifteen minutes south of Portland) on Thursday, August 13, beginning at 8:00 AM. Any female amateur golfer with an established USGA handicap of 2.0 or less is eligible to compete.
The winner of the event will earn a guaranteed spot in the 54-hole Safeway Classic tournament proper to be held August 28-30, at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, in North Plains, OR. The second and third place finishers will earn entry into the tournament’s Monday qualifier to be held on Monday, August 24. The two low scores from the qualifier will also earn entry into the Safeway Classic.
According to Tom Maletis, President of Tournament Golf Foundation, “TGF has been a supporter of women’s golf in the Northwest over our 38 year history. With this event, we have begun to establish a tradition of offering amateurs a chance to play with the world’s best pros. One round and the winner gets to play in the Safeway Classic.”
Last year, then-UCLA sophomore Sydnee Michaels, won the Safeway Classic Amateur Open. The Safeway Classic Amateur Open will have a $95 entry fee and players can get an application by calling the Tournament Golf Foundation office at 503-626-2711 or by visiting the news section of the tournament web site, www.safewayclassic.com. Entry deadline for the event will be August 11, 2009.
The Safeway Classic is the oldest non-major championship on the LPGA Tour, and 2009 will mark the 38th year the tournament has been brought to Portland by TGF. The event, originally called the Portland Classic, has now donated over $13 million to local children’s charities since its inception in 1972, with $10 million coming in the past ten years with Safeway as title sponsor. In 2008 alone, the tournament raised $1 million through the Safeway Foundation for Oregon charities.
The 2009 edition of the Safeway Classic will be held for the first time on the Ghost Creek course at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, OR. The purse for the event will be $1.7 million. Friday and Saturday rounds will be broadcast on ESPN2 and Sunday’s final round will be shown on ESPN.
Cristie Kerr won the 2008 event in a one-hole playoff with Helen Alfredsson and Sophie Gustafson. At present 50 of the top 50 on the LPGA Official Money List for 2009 are committed to play.
Tournament Golf Foundation is a local Portland area group of volunteers who donate their time and provide the primary operations for the annual event. Begun in 1972, the group is now comprised of 40 local individuals and couples.
For more information on the Safeway Classic and Tournament Golf Foundation, visit www.safewayclassic.com or call 503-626-2711.
For more information on Langdon Farms Golf Club or for practice rounds, visit www.langdonfarms.com or call 503-678-4653.
About Langdon Farms Golf Club
Rated four out of five stars by Golf Digest’s Best Places To Play for 2009 and ranked #6 in Golfweek magazine’s Best Courses You Can Play, State-By-State Ranking for 2009, Langdon Farms is home to 18 holes of stunning golf designed by John Fought and Robert Cupp. Langdon Farms Golf Club opened to rave reviews in 1995 and immediately became a favorite in the Portland area. Over the years, the local, regional and even national golf writers have consistently recognized it as a truly unique golf experience. The “Big Red Barn” Clubhouse, winner of Golf Inc’s “Best New Clubhouse” award, was modeled after the original barn on Mr. Langdon’s farm. The original barn, built in 1916, actually comes into play down the left side of the 8th hole. The Big Red Barn clubhouse, creative signage, theme development, and links-style golf course design and maintenance elements have all contributed to the exceptional reputation of Langdon Farms. The golf facility is open, as displayed at the entrance, to the “PUBLIC ONLY” and specializes in hosting tournaments, outings and special events. For more information on Langdon Farms Golf Club, to reserve a tee time, or to book wedding, tournament, or special event, call: 503.678.GOLF (4653). For more information on Langdon Farms Golf Club visit www.langdonfarms.com or become a Fan of Langdon Farms on Facebook.
Langdon Farms Golf Club is locally owned by Tom and Chris Maletis and is professionally managed by OB Sports Golf Management. OB Sports Golf Management is a diversified, golf-oriented company that currently manages 30 premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information about OB Sports Golf Management, visit www.obsports.com, call (480) 948-1300, become Fan of OB Sports on Facebook or follow OB Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/obsportsgolf
Contact:
Tom Maletis (503) 702-5000
Rob Neal (503) 626-2711
Reid Hutchins (503) 291-0109
