Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley, and Betsy King lead a field of LPGA Legends
French Lick, IN – French Lick Resort, located in southern Indiana, will continue to add to its long history of professional women’s golf by hosting The Legends Championship in 2013. This week long celebration of women’s golf will feature a week of golf events and tournament benefiting the American Heart Association.
“The LPGA Legends are thrilled to announce that the most significant tournament on our Tour will be played on the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort and benefit the American Heart Association, which is something very close to all of us. To be able to bring awareness to women and families about the importance of good health and nutrition to fight not only heart disease, but also child obesity in America is very gratifying,” said Jane Blalock, CEO of The Legends Tour and 27-time winner on the LPGA Tour.
The 2013 event will be held September 23-29, and feature a variety of week long activities including two days of professional competition, a Pro-Am Sponsor event, Alice Dye Women’s Invitational, LPGA’s Women’s, and other community outreach programs. The event will feature a field of up to 70 of the top women’s professional golfers in LPGA history, including ten Hall of Fame players including Nancy Lopez, and seven Solheim Cup Captains.
“There is such a rich history of the LPGA and women’s golf at French Lick Resort dating back 50 years, which combined with the unparalleled quality and magnificent beauty of the resort, creates an ideal venue for this major Championship,” said Blalock. “This partnership will have a resounding impact on the state of Indiana, The Legends Tour, American Heart Association, and the great tradition of women’s golf.”
The American Heart Association is dedicated to saving lives and working together to eradicate heart disease and stroke through research, education, advocacy, and fund raising efforts. The American Heart Association’s My Heart My Life initiative includes such things as teaching gardens to encourage school children to eat more fruits and vegetables, cooking classes, walking clubs, employee wellness initiatives, and heart walks. The game of golf with its walking aspect fits well into this program.
“We are thrilled to partner with French Lick and the LPGA to raise awareness of the important issue of women and heart disease. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in this country, so it is an issue that impacts all women – and their families. With the reach and proud tradition of the LPGA, combined with the beautiful and welcoming facilities at French Lick, we know we can work together to build healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke,” said Andrew Buroker, Esq., a partner at Krieg DeVault LLP in Indianapolis and past national chairman of the American Heart Association.
The history of women’s golf at French Lick dates back to 1957 where Louise Suggs captured the French Lick Women’s Open on the historic Donald Ross course. A few years later the LPGA Championship was also brought to the historic site. In 1959 Betsy Rawls won the LPGA major followed by the legendary Mickey Wright winning the title in 1960 also held on the Ross course. In 2013, the history will continue not only with the elite and historic competition, but also with creation of a new LPGA Legends Hall of Fame.
“We are very excited to continue our tradition at French Lick Resort in supporting not only women’s golf and partnering with these LPGA Legends, but to be able to give back and bring awareness to such a traumatic disease as heart disease,” said Dave Harner, French Lick Resort’s director of golf. “This will be a great week to celebrate women’s golf and a great opportunity for all Indiana golf enthusiasts, especially the ladies to come out and experience history up close during the event.”
About The Legends Tour
The Legends Tour is the Official Legends Tour of the LPGA. The tour began in 2000 by LPGA professionals to showcase the talents of some of the greatest women’s golfers of all time. The Legends Tour has over 120 members, including 11 LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame members. Legends Tour players have a combined 650 LPGA Tour victories, including 65 major championships. In its 12 seasons, The Legends Tour has helped donate more than $12 million to charity. The Legends Tour has hosted events in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Japan and Australia. For additional information on The Legends Tour, log on to www.thelegendstour.com.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit www.heart.org or call any of our offices around the country.
About French Lick Resort
French Lick Resort is a $500 million historic restoration and casino development project that includes the West Baden Springs Hotel, French Lick Springs Hotel and the new French Lick Casino. This premier resort and casino destination in Southern Indiana features 686 guest rooms and suites; a 51,000-square-foot, single-level casino; 45 holes of golf, including the fully restored 1917-designed Donald Ross Course at French Lick and the new, 18-hole Pete Dye Course at French Lick; two full-service spas with a combined 36 treatment rooms totaling 42,000 square feet; meeting and event space totaling 115,000 square feet and an array of dining and entertainment options. Visit www.frenchlick.com.
Contact:
French Lick Resort
Dyan Welsh Duncan
(812) 936-5926
dduncan@frenchlick.com
Fusion Media Strategies
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
kevin@fusionmediastrategies.com
LPGA Legends
Sue Fracker
(617) 206-9757
sfracker@jbcgolf.com
