Orlando, Fla. (May 22, 2010) – Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam hosted 80 children from the Osceola branch of the Boys and Girls Club and the Orlando Minority Youth Golf Association at the ANNIKA Academy on Saturday, May 22. The children learned about the fundamentals of golf from Annika and the ANNIKA Academy team.
The ANNIKA Junior Day in Memory of Holly Baxter, an initiative of the ANNIKA Foundation, was created in memory of Holly Baxter, a loving mother and golfer who died of brain cancer in 2007. The event was funded by a generous donation to the Foundation by the Baxter family, who asked that an event be created to promote junior golf to underserved children. Established in 2007, the foundation’s 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.
“I think what Annika and her Foundation are doing for kids is just fantastic,” said Holly’s husband Bob Baxter. “Holly loved golf and she loved kids, so I know she would be very proud of this day. We hope to make it an annual event.”
The day included a morning session for children 11 and under and an afternoon session for those ages 12-15. Each group will enjoy a golf clinic led by Annika and four skill stations to introduce the fundamentals of putting, chipping, swing and fitness.
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. 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 of all-time. During her 15-year Hall of Fame career, she rewrote the LPGA and Ladies European Tour record books, won countless awards and changed the way women’s golf was played, viewed, and covered. She amassed 89 worldwide professional victories, including 72 LPGA wins, ten of which are Major Championships. Annika stepped away from professional golf after the 2008 season to focus on her family and the ANNIKA brand of businesses, including the ANNIKA Academy, ANNIKA Financial Group, ANNIKA Course Design, the ANNIKA Collection of apparel with Cutter & Buck, signature high-end wines with Wente Vineyards and an online retail shop, shopannika.com. In 2008, Annika joined Arnold Palmer as only the second Ambassador of the United States Golf Association, and in 2009, along with Jack Nicklaus, she was named a Global Ambassador by the International Golf Federation and aided in the successful bid for golf in the 2016 Olympic Games. More information can be found at www.annikasorenstam.com.
Contact:
Elizabeth Benz
Brener Zwikel and Associates
elizabethb@bzapr.com
352-514-0550