All amateur female players with a 2 handicap or lower are eligible; top two players will gain automatic entry into tournament’s official Monday qualifier
(JANUARY 10, 2011 – CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.) – The LPGA’s Kia Classic announced today that it will hold an open pre-qualifying tournament on the Eisenhower Course at Industry Hills Golf Club on Tuesday, Feb. 1, giving amateur female golfers the opportunity to potentially play alongside touring professionals in an official LPGA event.
All amateur female golfers with a handicap of 2 or lower are eligible to compete in the pre-qualifier. Interested players must contact Industry Hills Director of Golf Dave Youpa at 626-854-2350 by Jan. 28 to register. There is a $50 fee to compete, and qualified applicants will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
The two players with the lowest scores from the Feb. 1 pre-qualifier will earn automatic entry into the official LPGA Monday qualifier on March 21, normally reserved for LPGA members only. The top two players from the Monday qualifier on March 21 will earn entry into the 144-player field at the Kia Classic, to be played March 24-27.
“This is a terrific opportunity for some of the L.A. area’s top young golfers to come out and test themselves,” said Dennis Baggett, the Kia Classic’s tournament director. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer the chance for two players to earn their way into the Monday qualifier and potentially play alongside the best female players in the world.
The March 21-27 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 will feature a qualifier and practice rounds Monday, practice rounds Tuesday, a Pro-Am on 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 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.
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 win 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 and serves as the “Official Vehicle of the NBA.” In 2010, KMA recorded its best-ever U.S. sales and 16th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia is poised to further its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technologies.
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
