French Lick, IN- The history of women’s professional golf at French Lick Resort in southern Indiana is steeped in tradition. Later this month that tradition continues, as some of the greatest players in LPGA history will showcase their talents in the Legends Championship presented by Humana Sept. 23-29.
Women’s golf at French Lick Resort dates back to 1958 when 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 this elite and historic competition, but also with creation of a new LPGA Legends Hall of Fame, which will be located off the atrium in the historic West Baden Springs Hotel.
The tournament, featuring over 66 competitors, will include 10 Hall of Fame players and seven Solheim Cup Captains including Kathy Whitworth (88 LPGA wins, 6 majors, and Solheim Cup Captian), Nancy Lopez (48 LPGA wins, 3 majors, Solheim Cup Captain), Joanne Carner (43 LPGA wins, 2 majors, Solheim Cup Captain), Patty Sheehan (35 LPGA wins, 6 majors, Solheim Cup Captain), Betsy King (34 LPGA wins, 6 majors, Solheim Cup Captain), Beth Daniel (33 LPGA wins, one major, Solheim Cup Captain), Pat Bradley (31 LPGA wins, 6 majors, Solheim Cup Captain), Amy Alcott (29 LPGA wins and 5 majors), Donna Caponi (24 LPGA wins and 4 majors), and Hollis Stacy (18 LPGA wins and 3 majors)
Other players include Laura Davies (81 Professional wins, 20 LPGA wins, and 6 majors), Liselotte Neumann (13 LPGA wins, one major, and Solheim Cup Captain), Jane Blalock (27 LPGA wins), and Rosie Jones (13 LPGA wins and Solheim Cup Captain).
The players will compete in a 54-hole event for the largest purse on the Legends Tour at $500,000, with the winner earning $75,000. There will also be a 36-hole “Super Legends” event on Saturday and Sunday featuring Hall of Famers Sandra Haynie and Donna Caponi, 27-time LPGA Tour champion Jane Blalock and Sandra Palmer, who won 19 times on the LPGA Tour. As event dates near, an updated list of participants will be available at www.frenchlick.com.
The tournament and partnership with Humana reflects a shared commitment by French Lick Resort, the Legends Championship and Humana to promote healthy living, with a special emphasis on women’s health and heart disease. The event will focus on bringing awareness to women and families about the importance of good health and nutrition.
The Legends Championship event will feature a variety of activities, including two days of professional competition, a Pro-Am Sponsor event, the Alice Dye Women’s Invitational, LPGA’s Women’s Clinic and other community outreach programs that will enrich the lives of youth throughout Indiana and surrounding states. This will include the Healthy Kids Pavilion presented by Humana, which will promote a variety of healthy activities for kids. A portion of the proceeds benefits the American Heart Association.
Affordable tickets and packages
Daily tickets for the event can be purchased for an affordable rate of $10 per day, or $25 for a weekly pass and children 18 and under get in free. For people who want to experience French Lick Resort and the Legends Championship, VIP and lodging packages are also available starting at $250.
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; 63 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.
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 more than 120 members, including 12 LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame members. Legends Tour players have over 675 combined LPGA Tour victories, including 70 major championships. In its 12 seasons, The Legends Tour has awarded more than $10 million in prize money and helped raise more than $13 million for charity. The Legends Tour has hosted events in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Japan and Australia. For additional information on The Legends Tour, log on to www.thelegendstour.com .
Contact:
French Lick Resort
Dyan Duncan
(812) 936-5926 (office)
dduncan@frenchlick.com
Tessa Higgs
(812) 936-5861
thiggs@frenchlick.com
Fusion Media Strategies
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241 (mobile)
kevin@fusionmediastrategies.com
Legends Tour
Sue Fracker
617- 513-4716
sfracker@jbcgolf.com
