Golf industry veteran will head the March 21-27 tournament at Industry Hills Golf Club, lead LPGA’s return to Los Angeles area
(DECEMBER 13, 2010 – INDUSTRY, Calif.) – The LPGA’s Kia Classic has announced that golf industry veteran Dennis Baggett has joined its staff as its new Tournament Director. Baggett will begin his role with the tournament immediately.
“We’re thrilled to bring Dennis aboard to join our team,” said Kelly Hyne, Vice President of LPGA Properties. “His industry experience and his enthusiasm for the game of golf make him an ideal fit to take the lead in establishing this tournament as one of the best on the LPGA tour and making it an asset for the greater Los Angeles community.”
Baggett oversaw customer service and sales operations at Carlsbad, Calif.-based Taylor Made-Adidas Golf for seven years. He later led the sales and operations departments for Mission ITech hockey in Irvine, Calif., and recently founded and served as the CEO of Inspireworx, a customer service consulting and managed services provider.
A Fresno State University graduate, Baggett is married with two daughters.
“I’m excited to get started,” Baggett said. “I’ve watched the LPGA from afar for many years, and I know how valuable a property it is. The LPGA has terrific players, sponsors and partners, and I’m looking forward to working with all of them to make the Kia Classic a successful event and one that thrives in Los Angeles for years to come.”
The Kia Classic – which brings the LPGA back to the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles for the first time in five years – will feature a full field of 144 LPGA players battling for a $1.7 million purse at the tournament’s new host venue, Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms. Tournament week is scheduled for March 21-27, 2011 and will feature a qualifier and practice rounds Monday, practice rounds Tuesday, a pro-am Wednesday and four competitive rounds Thursday-Sunday.
Tickets and more information are available at www.kiaclassic.com or by calling 1-888-SEE-LPGA. Daily grounds passes are just $10 for Wednesday’s pro-am day and $20 per day for competition rounds, and weekly grounds passes are just $50. Children 17 and under will receive free admission to the Kia Classic when accompanied by a paid adult, and active military members and their families will be admitted free with military ID.
The Kia Classic is also offering two holiday specials through Dec. 31. Two weekly grounds passes can be purchased for $65, and a golf and ticket package that consists of two rounds of golf at Industry Hills and two weekly grounds passes can be purchased for $180.
Kia Classic fans can follow the tournament through social media. The Kia Classic’s Facebook page (Kia Classic) and Twitter feed (@LPGAKiaClassic) allow fans to keep up on pre-tournament and tournament-week news, see exclusive photos and enter various contests for the chance to Kia Classic tickets and other prizes.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 725 dealers throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share and recently achieved its best quarter of sales ever in 2010. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline “The Power to Surprise.”
Kia Motors America is the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.” Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
About the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association)
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 1,700 members representing 29 different countries. With a Vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The Duramed FUTURES Tour serves as the official developmental tour of the LPGA, consistently producing a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via: www.LPGA.com, www.facebook.com/lpga.official, www.twitter.com/lpga, and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo.
About Pacific Palms Hotel & Conference Center
Set against the majestic San Gabriel Mountains, Pacific Palms is Los Angeles’ only destination golf, spa and certified conference center resort appealing to both leisure and business travelers. The resort features 292 beautifully appointed, oversized guest rooms, each with balcony, a variety of food and beverage options including RED, a new unique destination restaurant & bar with fabulous fireside dining and cocktail seating on the patio overlooking Celebration Lake. The Spa at Pacific Palms opened its doors as the area’s first luxury, lifestyle spa. Celebrating 30 years of tradition, the resort also boasts LA’s only 4.5 star-rated golf experience with 36 holes of championship and “Best In The USA-2010” golf on the renowned ‘Ike’ and ‘Babe’ courses of Industry Hills Golf Club. Centrally located 20 minutes from both Downtown Los Angeles and Orange County, between four major airports and easily accessible by four major freeways, Pacific Palms is Southern California’s finest and most accessible resort and conference center. Pacific Palms is located at One Industry Hills Parkway, City of Industry, Calif. 91744. For more information please call (626) 810-4455 or visit www.pacificpalmsresort.com.
Contact:
Greg Ball
Brener Zwikel & Associates
gregb@bzapr.com
818-462-5611
