LPGA’s developmental tour will play three-day event at Sara Bay Country Club in Sarasota
New alliance with IMG Junior Golf Tour to provide tournament exemption for
female junior golfer
Symetra Tour will host an even in Sarasota, Fla. next April
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, Dec. 13, 2011 – The Symetra Tour – formerly the LPGA Futures Tour — today announced that they will add a new tournament to the 2012 schedule that will mark the second stop on the Symetra Tour’s Florida swing next season. The event, which will feature 144 professionals competing for a $100,000 purse, will be held April 16-22 at Sara Bay Country Club in Sarasota, Fla.
“We are thrilled to bring the Symetra Tour to Florida’s Gulf Coast and excited to showcase the LPGA’s next stars to golf fans in the Sarasota area,” said Zayra Calderon, CEO of the Symetra Tour. “Fans will have the opportunity to see the next Lorena Ochoa, Karrie Webb or Cristie Kerr when the Symetra Tour comes to Sarasota-Bradenton.”
The Symetra Tour has teamed up with the IMG Junior Golf Tour, a Southeast region-focused Tour for aspiring juniors, and an extension of the Bradenton-based IMG Academies, to provide a once-in-a-lifetime playing opportunity for a female junior golfer to earn an exemption into this local professional event. The top female golfer from the 15-18 division of the IMG Junior Golf Tour, by way of points accumulated across five qualifying events (beginning with The Founders Club tournament, January 7-8, 2012), will earn a spot to compete as an amateur.
“We are thrilled to offer our players this unique opportunity to compete in a professional event based in our backyard,” said Blake Ulrich, Director, IMG Junior Golf Tour. “We are committed to providing our members with the best quality playing opportunities – be it via our course selections, sponsorships, or alliances like this one.”
The inaugural event will serve as the return of women’s professional golf to the Sarasota-Bradenton area where the Sara Bay Country Club previously played host to the LPGA Sarasota Open from 1952-1954. In addition, the LPGA Sarasota Classic was played at Bent Tree Golf & Racquet Club in Sarasota, Fla. from 1976-1988 where winners of the event included Nancy Lopez and Judy Rankin.
“We are delighted to have professional golf return to Sara Bay Country Club in April 2012 with the Symetra Tour,” said Paul Barone, GM & COO of Sara Bay Country Club. “It is a great opportunity for the Sarasota-Bradenton golfing public to witness some of the world’s greatest women golfers compete right in their own backyard.
Sara Bay Country Club is rich in golf history and tradition, dating back to 1926 when the club opened with an exhibition match between Bobby Jones and Tommy Armour against Long Jim Barnes & Johnny Farrell. Later that year, the first 36-holes of the match that inspired the movie “Bagger Vance” was played here between Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. In the 1940’s Sara Bay hosted the third and fourth PGA Senior Championships, and in the 1950’s, Sara Bay was the host site for the LPGA’s Sarasota Open.
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About the Symetra Tour
In its 31st competitive season in 2011, the Symetra Tour – formerly the LPGA Futures Tour – has become the world’s largest international women’s developmental tour. As the “Road to the LPGA,” the Tour has remained committed to developing LPGA stars of tomorrow and creating viable role models for youth today. The top 10 money winners each season earn automatic membership on the LPGA Tour. With more than 300 alumnae as current members of the LPGA, former LPGA Futures Tour players have won a total of 359 LPGA titles, including 38 major championships. LPGA Futures Tour events have contributed nearly $5 million to charitable organizations throughout the nation since 1989. Follow the Symetra Tour on the web at www.lpgafuturestour.com, http://www.facebook.com/RoadtotheLPGA, www.twitter.com/ROAD2LPGA and www.youtube.com/ROAD2LPGA.
About the IMG Junior Golf Tour
Developed to fill a key niche in junior golf, the IMG Junior Golf Tour provides an elite setting for junior golfers to compete and gain exposure to college golf, professional golf, national junior rankings and athletic excellence. Participants have access to championship-rated courses and are provided with unique resources that enable them to grow and develop not only as an athlete but as an individual. Interactive educational events provide players and their families with an opportunity at each event to meet and receive advice from experts and professionals on topics such as fitness and nutrition, mental performance, media training, and college recruiting. Under Armour is the Tour’s official apparel sponsor. Additional sponsors include Gatorade, Power Balance, BiteTech and the National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA). Find us at: www.imgjuniorgolftour.com and on Facebook.
About the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association)
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 1,700 members representing 29 different countries.
With a Vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour
Professionals compete across the globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The Symetra Tour serves as the official developmental tour of the LPGA, consistently producing a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The
LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via: www.LPGA.com, www.facebook.com/lpga.official, www.twitter.com/lpga, and
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Media contact:
Ali Kicklighter, LPGA Communications Coordinator, +1 386-274-6278, ali.kicklighter@lpga.com
