Futures Tour standout Shasta Averyhardt will be just the fourth African-American player to play an LPGA event; Big Break winner Blair O’Neal, recently featured in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, will make her LPGA debut; Korean teenage sensation Julie Yang to play her first professional U.S. event
(MARCH 3, 2011 – CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.) – The LPGA’s Kia Classic announced today that it has extended its final two sponsor exemptions to LPGA rookie Shasta Averyhardt and Korean amateur Julie Yang. The tournament had previously announced its other exemption, Blair O’Neal, winner of Big Break Dominican Republic on Golf Channel.
Averyhardt, Yang and O’Neal will be part of a star-studded field of 144 of the world’s best female golfers competing in the $1.7 million Kia Classic, to be held March 21-27 at Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms. The tournament brings the LPGA back to Los Angeles for the first time in six years.
Tickets and more information are available at www.kiaclassic.com or by calling 1-888-SEE-LPGA.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer the opportunity for these three talented, up-and-coming golfers to play in the Kia Classic and compete against the best women in the world,” tournament director Dennis Baggett said.
Averyhardt, who is of African-American and Hispanic background, is just the fourth player with African-American heritage to play in an LPGA event (the others are Althea Gibson, Renee Powell and Laree Sugg).
A 25-year-old LPGA rookie from Flint. Mich., she stands out due to her 6-foot-1 frame. After graduating from Jackson State University in 2009, she turned professional and played the Sun Coast Tour in Florida, then earned her way onto the LPGA Futures Tour. She played 10 events on the developmental tour in 2010 and also qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open.
O’Neal earned her exemption into the Kia Classic by being named Most Valuable Player of Big Break Dominican Republic on Golf Channel. A Scottsdale, Ariz. resident, O’Neal, 29, played for four years at Arizona State and turned pro in 2004. She divides her time between playing golf and modeling, and was recently featured in a print advertisement for sponsor PUMA Cobra Golf in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. To see the ad, please go to http://www.lpga.com/entertainment_content.aspx?pid=27369.
Yang, a South Korea native who splits time between her home country and Phoenix, is just 15 but has amassed a golf resume well beyond her years. Last year alone, she won the English Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship, was a medalist at the Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship, was the top amateur finisher (sixth) at the Ladies European Tour Korean Masters and was the youngest competitor at the RICOH Women’s British Open.
Last year’s inaugural Kia Classic saw a sponsor exemption take home the trophy. South Korean sensation Hee Kyung Seo, now an LPGA rookie, shot 12-under-par 276 to win by six strokes and take home $255,000 in her first LPGA event.
Twenty-one of the top 25 players from the Rolex Rankings have committed to play in the Kia Classic, the first full-field event in the United States on the LPGA’s 2011 schedule.
Tournament week will feature a qualifier and practice rounds Monday, practice rounds Tuesday, a Pro-Am on Wednesday and four competitive rounds Thursday-Sunday.
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
