DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 2, 2009 — The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger jointly announced a one-year extension to stage the event in 2010, continuing a tradition that dates back more than two decades.
“We are pleased to return to the Toledo area for the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, a staple on the LPGA Tour for 25 years,” said Marty Evans, acting LPGA commissioner. “The fans in Northwest Ohio & Southeast Michigan embrace our players and appreciate the impressive level of golf and sports entertainment that they provide the community and the tournament sponsors. We appreciate the commitment of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic and its sponsors, which has produced so many great winners over the years, counting Hall of Famers as well as up-and-comers on its list of champions.”
The tournament will continue to be staged at Highland Meadows Golf Club located just outside of Toledo in Sylvania, Ohio. The 2010 tournament will feature a $1 million purse with the final round to be contested on Independence Day.
“Owens Corning is proud to continue as the title sponsor of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic,” stated Owens Corning CEO Mike Thaman. “We are pleased to partner with the LPGA and support an event that will benefit both the LPGA and the Northwest Ohio community.”
“On behalf of everyone involved with the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, I want to express my appreciation to the LPGA for working with us to ensure the successful continuation of our event in the greater Toledo area,” said Judd Silverman, executive director of the event. “For years we’ve dedicated our efforts to bringing the LPGA to the Toledo area while raising money for local and regional children’s charities. As a result of the tournament, we’ve contributed more than $6.2 million to more than 100 children’s charities in the area. We are extremely happy to know that the great golf fans in Northwest Ohio will once again get to see the greatest women golfers in the world while helping the tournament raise money for area children’s charities.”
The Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic first debuted on the LPGA schedule in 1984 and with the exception of 1986 has been held ever since. The tournament has showcased some of the greatest winners in LPGA history including Annika Sorenstam, Paula Creamer, Laura Davies, Meg Mallon, Patty Sheehan, two-time winner Kelly Robbins and five-time Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic champion Se Ri Pak. The event has been played at Highland Meadows Golf Club since 1989. The event just celebrated its 25th staging with Eunjung Yi earning a playoff victory over Morgan Pressel to become a 2009 Rolex First-Time Winner.
The 2009 LPGA Tour calendar features 27 official money events, with prize money totaling nearly $50 million, along with the prestigious Solheim Cup, held this past August in front of record-breaking crowds. This week marks the second of a six-week stretch in which players will be jetting around the United States and Canada to play in events that will help garner valuable points toward end-of-the-year honors, such as Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average, and Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year. Additionally, players will try to solidify one of 120 spots in November’s season-ending LPGA Tour Championship in Houston, Texas, where the LPGA also will announce its full 2010 Tour schedule.
About the Ladies Professional Golf Association
The LPGA was founded in 1950 and today boasts a membership comprised of world-class LPGA Tour professionals and more than 1,300 dedicated Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP). Players on the LPGA Tour, who represent more than 25 countries, compete globally showcasing the very best of women’s professional golf. LPGA T&CP members directly impact the growth of the game through teaching, coaching and management positions, and oversee programs aimed at increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf. The LPGA’s Vision is to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the best golf professionals in the world. Its Mission is to be a leader in the world of sports, to promote economic empowerment for all members, and to serve as role models on and off the course. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.
Contact:
Connie Wilson, LPGA, 386-274-6271, connie.wilson@lpga.com
Judd Silverman, Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic presented by Kroger, (419) 531-3277
