(DESTIN, FL) – LPGA Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam was joined by the biggest names in sports and entertainment for the inaugural Annika & Friends at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort last weekend.
Olympians Michelle Kwan, Dan Jansen and Bode Miller; actor Alfonso Ribeiro; “Dancing With the Stars'” Tony Dovolani; NFL standouts Anthony Munoz, Ricky Waters and Robbie Gould; rock-and-roll legend Alice Cooper; FOX Network host Gerri Willis; and LPGA stars Yani Tseng, Morgan Pressel and Nancy Lopez were just a few of the celebrities on hand.
“Annika & Friends was a huge success and golfers and celebrities had the chance to experience the Southern hospitality of our top Florida resort,” says Rick Hileman, PGA Director of Golf Operations at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. “All of the celebrities were incredibly enthusiastic about visiting Sandestin and helping such a terrific cause.”
All proceeds from the event have been earmarked for the ANNIKA Foundation and SPARK, the nation’s leading physical education program for children. The organizations are working together to combat childhood obesity in elementary schools.
The festivities kicked off Saturday evening with a reception and dinner at Sandestin’s Magnolia Ballroom. Sunday, Sandestin’s Raven Golf Club hosted a celebrity tournament won by Cooper’s team with a 13-under-par score of 59. Fittingly, Annika remains the only female golfer to ever card a 59 in a professional event.
Best-selling country artist and Hootie and Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker wrapped-up the weekend Sunday evening with a concert at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin Town Center.
Video of the event is available on Sandestin’s YouTube channel. Images are available upon request: jwilliamson@buffalocommunications.com.
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.
About Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is home to 30 charming neighborhoods featuring 1,300 condos, villas, town homes, and a wide-variety of hotel accommodations. The resort has more than seven miles of sugar white beaches and pristine bay front; four championship golf courses; 15 world-class tennis courts; 19 swimming pools; a 113-slip marina; children’s programs; fitness center and spa; 65,000 square feet of meeting space; and the Village of Baytowne Wharf, a pedestrian village featuring a host of boutique shops, casual and fine dining restaurants, nightlife and events.
Sandestin is a member of Visit South Walton, an unparalleled strand of 15 distinct beach neighborhoods.
For more information: www.sandestin.com
Getting There: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) offers direct flights from Houston, Baltimore/Washington DC, Atlanta, Orlando, Nashville, and Memphis. Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS) offers direct flights from Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Charlotte. Service from Washington, DC begins in March.
Contact:
Jonathan Williamson
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3346
jwilliamson@buffalocommunications.com
