LPGA Legends Tour tabs venue for tournament, Sept. 25-28
(WEST POINT, Miss.) – Mississippi Development Authority will help sponsor the ISPS Handa Cup – the longest running tournament on The Legends Tour – at Old Waverly Golf Club (www.oldwaverly.com), the state has announced.
Pitting a team of 12 U.S.-born LPGA Legends (www.thelegendstour.com) against a team of 12 internationally-born LPGA Legends in 36 holes of head-to-head stroke-play competition, the ISPS Handa Cup will make its Mississippi debut Sept. 25-28.
USA Captain Nancy Lopez leads Juli Inkster, Beth Daniel, Meg Mallon, Pat Bradley, Rosie Jones and more vs. World Captain Sally Little, Laura Davies, Liselotte Neumann, Lorie Kane, Alison Nicholas, Trish Johnson and their teammates.
The Legends Tour features competition for LPGA Tour veterans age 45 and over and is the official senior tour of the LPGA.
The ISPS Handa Cup, named for Japanese philanthropist and golf enthusiast Dr. Haruhisa Handa, is a tournament previously dominated by Team USA before the World Team won its first championship trophy in 2013. The Handa Foundation, Dr. Handa’s foundation providing opportunities for blind and disabled golfers worldwide, is the main beneficiary of the event.
Information about tickets to the 2014 Handa Cup at Old Waverly can be found at www.thelegendstour.com.
Designed by Bob Cupp and Jerry Pate, Old Waverly Golf Club dates back to 1988 and is no stranger to hosting major events. The 18-hole, 7,018 yard championship course hosted the 1999 U.S. Women’s Open (won by Inkster), the 2006 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and multiple SEC Championships.
“Old Waverly is a serene, beautiful setting where fans can experience the LPGA Legends’ golf excellence,” said George Bryan, founder of Old Waverly Golf Club. “Mississippi’s hospitality, our challenging course design and the competitive balance this year makes for a world-class event.”
Popular stay-and-play packages are available at the acclaimed golf club year-round. Located in northeast Mississippi in West Point, Old Waverly’s accommodation options include seven 4-bedroom waterfront cottages and many other luxury villas and condos.
Old Waverly and the Handa Cup are indicative of the state’s superb visitor options and growing reputation as a preferred golf destination (www.visitmississippi.org/golf.php). The state is also home to the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic of the Champions TOUR, played at Fallen Oak each spring, and Sanderson Farms Championship of the PGA TOUR, played at Country Club of Jackson in the fall.
About Mississippi Golf
The state of Mississippi offers multiple stay-and-play packages at a variety of price points in five distinct regions.
For more information please visit www.visitmississippi.org/golf.php or call toll-free 1-866-801-8551.
Attractions contributing to Mississippi’s growing popularity as the preferred golf-and-travel destination include:
• More than 170 courses offering a variety of price points and designs from world-class architects such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Jerry Pate and Tom Fazio
• Year-round golf weather with temperate conditions throughout five distinct regions — The Hills, The Delta, The Capital/River, The Pines, The Coastal
• Home to two annual TOUR events: The Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic of the Champions TOUR, played at Fallen Oak (March 17-23, 2014) and the Sanderson Farms Championship of the PGA TOUR, played at Country Club of Jackson (Nov. 3-9, 2014)
• Third-largest gaming destination in North America, featuring exciting gaming, upscale shopping, live entertainment, luxurious spas and internationally acclaimed golf courses
• Birthplace of blues, rock ‘n roll and country music. Mississippi Blues Trail and Country Music Trail markers are placed at key sites around the state to honor musicians and give visitors insight into the state’s diverse musical heritage
• World-famous, authentic southern cuisine offering savory barbecue, fresh seafood and French-Cajun delicacies
• A busy calendar of more than 400 unique events scheduled throughout the year
• A host of non-golf activities including boating, fishing, bird-watching, hiking, biking, hunting, camping and more
Contact:
Gary Trask, 978.228.0314
Buffalo Communications
gtrask@buffalocommunications.com
Dan Shepherd, 703.403.5317
Buffalo Communications
dshepherd@buffalocommunications.com
