Event will benefit Annika Foundation and local northwest Florida schools
(DESTIN, FL) — LPGA Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam will visit Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin’s Town Center on Friday, January 20 to kick-off the countdown to the inaugural ‘Annika & Friends’ celebrity golf event and concert, to be held May 12 — 13.
The 10-time major champion will hold a press conference at the Burnt Pine Course clubhouse beginning at 10:30 a.m. Representatives from the ANNIKA Foundation, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin’s Town Center will also participate. After the press conference, Annika will be available for one-on-one media interviews on a first-come, first-served basis.
“I’m looking forward to visiting Sandestin to share the exciting schedule for this year’s Annika & Friends event,” says Annika, recently named recipient of the United States Golf Association’s 2012 Bob Jones Award. “Our goal is to foster awareness for my Foundation’s work while raising sorely needed funds to support our children’s programs and to implement quality physical education programs in northwest Florida elementary schools.”
All proceeds from Annika & Friends at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will benefit the Foundation, which teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.
One of the ANNIKA Foundation’s key partners is SPARK, the leading research-based physical education program for schools. Funds raised by Annika & Friends will provide for the implementation of SPARK in select elementary schools in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. A SPARK demonstration, school ceremony and autograph session for SPARK kids and the Niceville High School girls’ golf team, which won the Florida State Championship this year, will be held on Grand Boulevard’s North Park Lawn at 2:30 p.m.
Annika & Friends at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will include a celebrity golf tournament at Raven Golf Club, a golf clinic conducted by Annika, a wine tasting reception and dinner party. The weekend will conclude with a concert by pop country star Darius Rucker at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin’s Town Center on May 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the concert can be purchased at www.DariusConcert.com, and overnight accommodations are available by calling 1.866.91.BEACH.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort (www.sandestin.com) is the No. 1 resort on Florida’s Emerald Gulf Coast, and is rated among the top golf resorts in the country by leading golf magazines. It is nestled on 2,400 spectacular acres from the Beach to the Bay. The resort features 30 charming communities with 1,300 villas, town homes and condominiums and the finest in Destin, Florida area accommodations.
Grand Boulevard at Sandestin (www.grandboulevard.com) is the shop, dine, play and stay Town Center located on Northwest Florida’s Beaches. Based on the prominent mixed-use architectural model, Grand Boulevard offers a dynamic lifestyle experience with convenient access to a multitude of exclusive shopping and dining options, entertainment, professional services, corporate offices and lodging.
For more information on becoming a sponsor of Annika & Friends, please contact Monark Events at 850.728.9476 or inquire at info@monarkevents.com. Visit www.ANNIKAandFriends.com for event details.
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. It partners with several key organizations including SPARK, the Florida Hospital for Children and The First Tee. The Foundation is also a financial supporter of Healthy 100 Kids, awards SPARK grants for schools, and has endowed a $100,000 ACE Grant to help underprivileged juniors compete in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). Other initiatives include ANNIKA Junior Day and the ANNIKA Inspiration Award.
It annually conducts three major golf events for aspiring junior girls: 1) ANNIKA Invitational at Reunion Resort in Orlando, Fla., an award-winning AJGA tournament; 2) ANNIKA Invitational at Mission Hills, the first all-girls junior championship in China; 3) ANNIKA Cup, a team event for top juniors in Sweden.
For more information: www.AnnikaFoundation.org.
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381 (cell)
ssharp@buffalocommunications.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
http://twitter.com/buffalocomm
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3509
sreynolds@buffalocommunications.com
