CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 19, 2010 – The early commitments are in, and it appears that a major-championship-quality field is shaping up for the inaugural LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf.
Buoyed by the presence of Mexican superstar and Rolex Rankings No. 1 Lorena Ochoa, the initial commitments of 126 players for the LPGA’s first tournament of the season in the United States boasts eight of the top 10 players from last season’s money list, 20 of the top 25 and 43 of the top 50. It includes players who have combined to win 285 LPGA tournaments and 35 major championships in their careers.
The $1.7 million LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf, to be held March 22-28 at La Costa Resort and Spa, is a full-field, 144-player event that will bring the best names in women’s golf to San Diego for the LPGA’s first 2010 event in the United States. The field becomes official March 16. Tickets are available at www.lpgalacosta.com or by calling 1-888-SEE-LPGA.
“We’re off to an exceptional start with our early player commitments,” said Jim Felechner, the tournament director for the LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf. “To have Lorena Ochoa, the world’s No. 1-ranked player, brings instant excitement to our tournament. Our fans will have the unique opportunity to watch the top female players from around the globe as they compete at beautiful La Costa Resort and Spa. The rest of the early commitment list boasts many more familiar names and fan favorites. We’re thrilled.”
Others who have committed to play include:
• Paula Creamer, an eight-time winner on the LPGA and the 2005 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award winner
• Jiyai Shin, the LPGA’s money leader and Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award winner in 2009
• Brittany Lincicome, a three-time winner on the LPGA and the defending champion of the Kraft Nabisco Championship (her first major championship)
• Karrie Webb, who has won 36 times on the LPGA, including seven major titles, and is the tour’s active career leader in wins and money earned ($15.2 million)
• Laura Davies, a 20-time tournament winner who has four major-championship victories to her name
• Cristie Kerr, the American No. 1 who has won 12 times on the LPGA (including the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open) and finished second on the money list last year
• Morgan Pressel, a two-time winner on the LPGA (including the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship) who set a record (since broken) as the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open (in 2001, when she was 12)
• Juli Inkster, an LPGA Hall of Fame member with 29 career victories to her name, including seven major championship wins
• Se Ri Pak, whose 24 career victories include four majors
• Ai Miyazato, the Japanese superstar who was third on the money list last year with more than $1.5 million in earnings
• Na Yeon Choi, who in October at Torrey Pines won the Samsung World Championship, the most recent LPGA event played in San Diego
• Christina Kim, who is as well known for her outgoing personality on the golf course as her two wins on the LPGA
• Angela Stanford, who has four career LPGA victories and nearly $5 million in earnings
• Natalie Gulbis, a fan favorite who in addition to golf has starred in her own reality TV show, appeared on The Apprentice and will be in an upcoming episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
The remainder of the 144-player field for the LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf will be announced as players commit leading up to the tournament.
The LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf will continue a long tradition of professional women’s golf in San Diego, beginning in 1953 with the San Diego Open. Most recently, Choi became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2009 Samsung World Championship. In the 55 years between, San Diego tournament winners have included the likes of LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame members Louise Suggs, Mickey Wright, Betsy Rawls and many other prominent LPGA stars.
La Costa Resort and Spa will host an official LPGA event for the first time when it welcomes the LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf, though the majestic coastal resort is no stranger to professional tournaments. La Costa most recently hosted the PGA TOUR’s World Golf Championships (WGC) Accenture Match Play Championship (1999-2006). Its longest-running tournament brought the PGA TOUR’s best to La Costa from 1969-1998, first as the Tournament of Champions and later as the Mercedes Championship. It also hosted the CBS Golf Classic in 1965, and was home to the Haig Scotch Mixed Foursome Championship from 1965-67.
For available volunteer opportunities, details on corporate sponsorship and the official LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf Pro-Am, as well as all other tournament information, log on to www.lpgalacosta.com or call tournament coordinator Danielle Genet in the tournament office at (760) 579-7365.
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.
About J Golf
J Golf is a 24-hour cable & satellite golf channel covering various golf tours such as the LPGA Tour (beginning in 2010), KLPGA Tour, European Tour, Ladies European Tour, JGTO and the JLPGA tour. Since its first launching in January 2005, J Golf has also been airing instructional programs not only for beginners but also advanced golfers. In addition, J Golf offers golfing event programs and golf news coverage from around the globe. J Golf is the first golf channel in the world to create original HD content programs. The proudest achievement in J Golf history is the contract signed in early 2009 to broadcast the LPGA Tour for five years, beginning in 2010. In Korea, J Golf has almost completed deals on airing the LPGA Tour, the most prestigious female golf tour in the world, with all types of TV platforms including terrestrial TV, cable TV, satellite TV, IP-TV, Digital Mobile Broadcasting and VOD. With J Golf, watching golf becomes as much fun as playing golf.
About La Costa Resort and Spa
Nestled among the beautiful coastal foothills of Carlsbad, Calif., north of San Diego, La Costa Resort and Spa boasts the 43,000 square-foot Spa at La Costa, 610 spacious and well-appointed guestrooms, suites and villas, a Clubhouse with a fitness center, two acclaimed restaurants – Legends and BlueFire Grill and two championship golf courses. The entire resort, linked by walkways and washed in color by lush vegetation and gardens, enjoys a village-like ambience. For more information on La Costa Resort and Spa, call (800) 854-5000 or visit www.lacosta.com.
About KSL Resorts
Founded in 1992, KSL Resorts manages seven time-honored resorts with outstanding recreational amenities, including spa, golf, tennis and ski. Each is refined yet unpretentious, rich in legacy, and genuine in service. The KSL Resorts are:
• Hotel del Coronado (San Diego)
• Beach Village at The Del (San Diego)
• La Costa Resort and Spa (Carlsbad, Calif.)
• Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa (Rancho Mirage, Calif.)
• Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa (Vail, Colo.)
• Barton Creek Resort & Spa (Austin, Texas)
• The Homestead (Hot Springs, Va.)
For more information, call 1-866-KSL-7727 or visit KSLResorts.com.
Contact:
Mike Scanlan, LPGA
(386) 274-6275
Mike.Scanlan@lpga.com
Greg Ball, Brener Zwikel & Associates
(760) 271-9183
gregb@bzapr.com
