FRENCH LICK, IN (Nov. 15, 2012) – LPGA Tour veteran, Laura Davies, from Great Britain, added yet another tournament victory to 81 world-wide triumphs and at the same time created even more awareness for The Legends Tour, official tour for LPGA professionals age 45 and over. French Lick Resort in Southern Indiana anxiously awaits the arrival of these LPGA Legends who will compete for a $550,000 purse there next September.
Davies, competing in her first LPGA Legends event, won the ISPS Handa Legends Tour Open Championship this week by two shots over LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer Beth Daniel.
Davies carded rounds of 70-71 for a 5-under total of 141 to edge out Daniel and past Legends Tour champion Barb Moxness of Edina, Minn., both at 3-under 143.
It is likely Davies will join several LPGA Hall of Famers and many of the greatest names in the history of women’s golf slated to play at the inaugural The Legends Championship next year in French Lick. The field of up to 70 former LPGA Tour stars will vie for the largest purse in tour history. In addition to Davies, the field will feature ten Hall of Famers and seven Solheim Cup Captains, including Nancy Lopez.
“The LPGA Legends are thrilled to bring a marquee event next year to French Lick Resort and the fact that this will be our largest purse to date is a testament to our growing popularity among golfers,” said Jane Blalock, CEO of The Legends Tour and 27-time winner on the LPGA Tour.
“Having a player like Laura Davies, who still hits the ball as long as ever and plays at a very high level, along with so many of our other popular players who still showcase great golf, including the great Joanne Carner, who almost shot her age at Innisbrook, is very exciting and gratifying for our Tour.”
The 2013 event, a week long celebration of women’s golf benefiting the American Heart Association, will be held September 23-29, and feature a variety of events and activities including two days of professional competition, a Pro-Am Sponsor event, Alice Dye Women’s Invitational, and other community outreach programs.
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.
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
