Emerald Coast’s top young players to compete with Annika Sorenstam and Mia Hamm in 10-hole match at Origins Golf Club
(WATERSOUND, Fla.) – The ANNIKA Foundation and St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) today announce the selection of 20 junior golfers to compete in the “Annika versus Mia” golf match at Origins Golf Club on Friday, February 19 at 9:30 a.m., kicking-off the “ANNIKA Experience at WaterSound.”
The junior golfers, 10 boys and 10 girls from the Emerald Coast region, will each play one hole with the star pairing during the 10-hole match contested on Origins’ par-3 configuration. They range in age from seven to 16 years old and were selected by event sponsors based on their proven performance on the golf course, achievements in the classroom, and community involvement.
“Team Annika” includes:
• Annika Johnson, 9, Lynn Haven
• Caroline Craig, 9, Niceville
• Mack Atkins, 9, Destin
• Tyler Cohen, 11, Destin
• Brock Ochsenreiter, 12, Destin
• Davis Bowyer, 15, Destin
• Ginny Shipman, 16, Panama City
• Caroline Hudson, 16, Destin
• Kyle Andre, 17, Destin
• Jaime Jordan, 18, Niceville
“Team Mia” includes:
• Madison Tenore, 7, Destin
• Patrick Poate, 11, Niceville
• Madison Pacheco, 12, Pensacola
• Parker Remig, 13, Gulf Breeze
• Stephen Shephard, 13, Niceville
• Ivey Kelly, 15, Destin
• Antonia Poate, 13, Niceville
• Trey Aguirre, 15, Navarre
• Sarah Hicks, 17, Gulf Breeze
• Brett Ochsenreiter, 17, Destin
“The juniors selected are among the best young golfers in a state that is rich with talent,” says Annika. “Mia and I fully expect these skilled players to contribute on each hole and to add an unforgettable local tie to the weekend’s events.”
In the high school-aged group, the junior field includes three northwest Florida “Players of the Year” (Brett Ochsenreiter, Jaime Jordan, Sarah Hicks) and five other All-Area performers (Kyle Andre, Ginny Shipman, Trey Aguirre, Ivey Kelly, Caroline Hudson).
The younger players are equally impressive with juniors Parker Remig, Brock Ochsenreiter, Madison Pacheco, Madison Tenore, and Caroline Craig having won multiple times on the local and regional junior golf tours in their respective age divisions.
The field is rounded-out with juniors who not only excel in golf but also in other sports and community service, and also includes one junior who was named after Annika (Annika Johnson).
Other scheduled events for February 19 include a golf clinic hosted by Annika and Mia before the match at 8:30 a.m., “Lunch with Annika and Mia” at the Village Commons at WaterSound following the match at 11:30 a.m., and a Soccer Skills Challenge at 1 p.m. at Origins featuring local club teams Soccer Academie INTER98 and Emerald Coast United.
Saturday’s events include: a children’s fitness clinic; a charity golf tournament at the Tom Fazio-designed Camp Creek Golf Club (where all teams will play a hole with Annika); and a food and wine reception at Fish Out of Water, the award-winning, fine-dining restaurant at WaterColor Inn, one of the region’s premier coastal, boutique inns.
Proceeds from the ANNIKA Experience at WaterSound will benefit local charities and the ANNIKA and Mia Hamm Foundations. The golf legend’s charitable arm teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams. The Mia Hamm Foundation increases awareness and funding for bone marrow transplant patients and their families in honor of her brother Garrett, who passed away from complications of a bone marrow disease.
Accommodation packages are available at WaterColor Inn and Resort and WaterSound Beach including admission to all ticketed events. For the full schedule of events and sponsorship opportunities contact Monark Events at 850.728.9476, 616.890.6497 or via email at info@monarkevents.com.
About The ANNIKA Foundation
The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams. A primary focus for the ANNIKA Foundation is to identify the greatest needs and opportunities to make an impact by developing sports and physical fitness programs for kids. A key focus is to provide resources that increase participation and access where it is not currently available or affordable, and promote awareness for the importance of leading a healthy, active lifestyle. More information about the ANNIKA Foundation can be found at www.annikafoundation.org.
About Annika
Annika is the greatest female golfer of our generation and often regarded as the best player in LPGA history. Her prestigious list of accomplishments includes her 2003 induction into the World Golf and LPGA Halls of Fame, 10 major championships, 89 worldwide professional victories, eight LPGA Player of the Year Awards, and participation on eight Solheim Cup teams. In June 2008, Annika was named a USGA Ambassador. She also represented the International Golf Federation and took part in their successful bid to get golf into the 2016 Olympic Games Annika has worked hard on her off-the-course businesses, which include the ANNIKA Academy, the ANNIKA Foundation, the ANNIKA Collection with Cutter & Buck, ANNIKA Financial Group, numerous golf course design projects around the world, a signature fragrance and a namesake Syrah in partnership with Wente Vineyards.
About Origins Golf Club
The Origins Golf Club is a six-hole regulation course that through the use of alternate tee boxes and greens, also plays as a nine-hole executive course and a 10-hole par 3 layout. Its mission is to make golf more fun, accessible and attractive to families, beginners and experienced players. Designed by Love Golf Design, founded by PGA Tour player Davis Love III, the course is consistent with the Scottish origins of the game, in which six, nine and 12-hole courses were commonplace. More information about Origins can be found at www.originsgolfclub.com.
About WaterSound
At WaterSound, plans call for approximately 999 single-family home sites and 256 multi-family residences, interconnected by an extensive pedestrian trail system – ideal for walking and biking. Many homes will be within walking distance of the centrally located Village Commons, a gathering spot for residents to enjoy a light lunch, spend a day beside the community pool, engage in a workout at the fitness room, and check the day’s mail at the post office. A short stroll from Village Commons is the Davis Love III-designed Origins Golf Course, which is ideal for the quick round in the evening or the casual family golf outing.
WaterSound sits between the Intracoastal Waterway and Lake Powell, one of the world’s rare dune lakes fed by both rainwater and meandering tides – perfect for freshwater and saltwater fishing. The master plan is being designed by New York-based Hart/Howerton & Associates and Atlanta-based Tunnell-Spangler-Walsh.
About JOE
The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE), a publicly held company based in Jacksonville, is one of Florida’s largest real estate development companies and Northwest Florida’s largest private landowner. JOE is primarily engaged in real estate development and sales, with significant interests in timber.
More information about JOE can be found at its web site at www.joe.com.
Contact:
Shane Sharp (Golf)
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
April Mason Nichols (Real Estate)
Spring O’Brien
212.402.1637
apriln@spring-obrien.com
Elizabeth Benz (ANNIKA Foundation)
Brener Zwikel & Associates
212-708-3329 (o)