For first time, Annika Invitational winners invited to Faldo Series Grand Final
(ORLANDO, Fla.) – The ANNIKA Foundation – golf Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam’s charitable organization – announces select winners from its global series of ANNIKA Invitational junior tournaments have been invited to play in the 2016 Faldo Series Grand Final, Oct. 11-13 in Gainsborough, England.
This marks the first time the ANNIKA Foundation has partnered with six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo’s global circuit of junior tournaments. Beginning in 2017, Faldo Series winners will also receive exemptions into ANNIKA Invitational events.
“Sir Nick’s dedication to growing the game globally has been unmatched,” says Annika. “Golf has been so good to us and we share the same passion for inspiring the next generation through tournaments and educational workshops. I am delighted some of our ANNIKA Invitational winners will have the opportunity to experience the Faldo Series Grand Final.”
“Annika is one of the most influential and forward thinking people in golf,” says Faldo. “We share very personal commitments to supporting the next generation of inspirational models and in introducing golf to players on all levels around the world. I am delighted we can take this and future steps together to provide opportunity through golf.”
Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa will host the 20th annual Faldo Series Grand Final. ANNIKA Invitational competitors will be joined by winners from European Faldo Series events and the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, as well as invitees selected by the PGA of America.
Sir Nick will be in attendance to run clinics throughout the week and share his knowledge from over 40 years of playing at the highest level. He will be watching the competition with keen interest and offering his insight to the young players.
The PGA will be on hand, among many other experts, to advise players during the week about the many career paths within the game of golf. Faldo’s personal coach, Keith Wood, will also attend and share the latest on the science of the swing.
For more information: www.nickfaldo.com. The Faldo Series can be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries and Twitter at www.twitter.com/faldoseries.
About the Faldo Series
Sir Nick Faldo created the Faldo Series in 1996 to give opportunity to young people through golf and to help identify and nurture the next generation of champions. Supported by golf’s governing bodies, 40 annual tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide, spanning Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, and Asia.
Past winners include major champions Yani Tseng and Rory McIlroy, who took his tally of professional major titles to four with his wins at the 2014 Open Championship and PGA Championship.
About the ANNIKA Foundation
Annika created the ANNIKA Foundation (www.annikafoundation.org) to provide opportunities in women’s golf at the junior, collegiate and professional levels while teaching young people the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition. The Foundation has partnered with key organizations to promote healthy, active lifestyles for children, including SPARK, Florida Hospital for Children in support of its Healthy 100 Kids initiative and The First Tee in development of the Nine Healthy Habits curriculum for children.
It annually conducts five major golf events for aspiring junior girls: the ANNIKA Invitational in Orlando, Fla.; ANNIKA Invitational at Mission Hills in China; ANNIKA Invitational Europe and ANNIKA Cup in Sweden; and, new for 2016 in association with The R&A, the ANNIKA Invitational Latin America in Argentina. In 2013, the Foundation’s reach extended to the collegiate ranks with the ANNIKA Award Presented by 3M (awarded to most outstanding female NCAA Division I golfer) and ANNIKA Intercollegiate Presented by 3M (12-team, 54-hole event at Reunion Resort). SPARK grants to schools, financial support of Healthy 100 Kids, endowing an AJGA ACE Grant, ANNIKA Junior Day and the “Share My Passion” Clinic in partnership with LPGA*USGA Girls Golf are other initiatives.
Contact:
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo.Agency
703.344.6031
sreynolds@buffalo.agency
Buffalo.Agency
