LPGA

Six-year-old Bailey Warren of Fultondale, Alabama met her hero, 2009 U.S. Solheim Cup Team member Kristy McPherson, on Wednesday at the Avnet LPGA Classic. Bailey suffers from the same arthritis that McPherson, who was diagnosed at age 12, deals with every day of her life.

Bailey was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of two and spends more time in doctors' offices and hospitals than playing outdoors. Her juvenile arthritis has also affected her vision causing Uveitis, an inflammatory condition that left untreated can lead to blindness. Through all the tests, chemotherapy drugs and hospitaliztions, Bailey has an infectious smile and spirit.

McPherson recently sent a letter, photo and autographed cap to Bailey from the Kraft Nabisco Championship. In the letter McPherson wrote, "And Bailey, you can, like me, be among the best in the world at whatever you want to do and wherever your heart and passion leads you." Bailey promptly grabbed her toy golf club and went outdoors to practice. Three weeks later, she was in Mobile to meet her new hero. Bailey's mother and father, Kim and Steve Warren, and her two-year-old brother, Brody, joined her at Magnolia Grove to chat with McPherson.

“For someone like Kristy to do this, you'll never know how much this means to us,” Kim Warren said. “It's not just her being here today. It's her agreeing to work for this cause and bring awareness to it.”

For more information on the Arthritis National Research Foundation, please visit www.curearthritis.org.

     

 

LPGA Tour members Morgan Pressel and Sara Brown joined LPGA Futures Tour member Blair O'Neal to kick off the 2011 Avnet LPGA Classic in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday by getting a chance to learn about the birthplace of Mardi Gras. While New Orleans is the city most associated with the annual festival, Mardi Gras actually began in Mobile and the trio of golfers took a tour of the Mobile Carnival Museum in downtown Mobile.

O'Neal, winner of Golf Channel's Big Break: Dominican Republic and a sponsor's exemption at this week's tournament, joined her fellow Big Break co-star Brown in donning traditional gowns and crowns associated with past Carnival queens from the city. Pressel also joined in the fun by sporting a traditional Mardi Gras mask.

During their tour which was led by the museum's executive director Judi Gulledge, the ladies learned about the yearlong preparation that goes into making Mardi Gras a success.

The Avnet LPGA Classic tees off on Thursday at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Magnolia Grove outside Mobile. Defending champion and LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Se Ri Pak returns to defend her 2010 title alongside eight of the top 10 players from the Rolex Rankings.

 

           

LPGA Outside the Ropes is an outreach program embraced by LPGA Tour players to elevate their significant off-course activities. The community and charitable activities primarily are designed to benefit tournaments and title sponsors. See more Outside the Ropes activities >>

Stacy Lewis won the Kraft Nabisco Championship in style wearing Fila Golf clothing. Lewis shares her thoughts on the brand and how it aided in her performance.

 

How does Fila aid in your performance?

“Fila Golf allows me to look and play my best. The styles are fashionable and comfortable, plus the performance element allows me to move freely and stay cool. It’s the best in authentic athletic sportswear.”

Do you have a favorite piece to the collection?

“No question – my favorite piece in the collection are the Milos Bermuda Shorts. I prefer wearing shorts when playing competitively, so, Fila Golf’s designer, Nancy, created these shorts for me, and all of the other ladies out there, who want to wear something cute, without wearing a skort.

Second favorite – the Athena Polo. This shirt is unbelievably soft! Plus, it still looked great even after my celebratory jump in the pond.”

How does Fila fit with your own personal style?

“I like to focus on playing well and not worry about how I look. Fila Golf fits for me because of its cute and classic styles. They allow me to be athletic and feel good in what I'm wearing. It also helps that the cuts and shapes are flattering no matter what kind of weather I’m playing in.”

 

 

Natalie Gulbis had a funfilled day at PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres, on Thursday, April 21. Gulbis was there to help unveil the 80-foot-tall TaylorMade R11 driver that runs directly parallel to the existing foul pole. While at the park, Gulbis spoke to the media, had batting practice, gave a lesson to Padres' pitcher Tim Stauffer, and ended the day by throwing out the first pitch in the game again the Philadelphia Phillies.

 

    Photos by Mark Dastrup

Maria Hjorth was a guest on Golf Channel's Morning Drive. Hjorth talked about balancing playing golf and being a mom and about being a part of the Solheim Cup.

 

 

1. Tell me something most people don't know about you?
I am not a "people" person.

2. What would you like to do for a living if you are not a pro golfer?
A doctor or a photographer.

3. If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
Anyone that has experienced nirvana.

4. Is there anything you're addicted to? Or can't live without?
Teavana Chai Chai blend tea.

5. Is there anything you won't eat?
Bugs, no matter if they're dipped in chocolate or what.

6. What is one thing you have done and would never want to do again?
Hear that someone very close to me is in the hospital.

7. Is there a song that you like to sing when no one is around like in the car or shower?
Miss Me - Drake.

8. What is your favorite activity you do when you want to relax?
Listen to music in the bath.

9. What is your favorite time of year?
Winter - it's so cozy!

10. Favorite quote or saying?
"Enjoy the ride."

11. What beauty product can you not live without?
Urban Decay Primer Potion.

12. What is your favorite store to shop in and why?
The Apple Store - it's Apple!

13. What is one item of clothing you couldn't live without?
A colorful scarf.

14. What invention do you wish you had thought of?
The stethoscope.

15. What chore are you great at or enjoy doing the most?
Laundry.

16. If your life was going to be made into a movie, who would you want to play the leading role?
Monica Bellucci.

17. Who is your favorite celebrity that you've met? Who have you not met that you want to meet?
George Lopez.

18. If you could possess any super human power, what would it be?
I'd want Wonder Woman's Lasso.

Learn more about Christina Kim >>

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Defending champion and LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Se Ri Pak will headline a star-packed field this week for the Avnet LPGA Classic at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Magnolia Grove, Crossings Course. Last year, Pak defeated Brittany Lincicome and Suzann Petterson in a playoff to take the 2010 Bell Micro Championship, which was rain-shortened to 54 holes.

A total of 144 players, including nine of the top-10 in the Rolex Rankings, will compete for a purse of $1.3 million this week. Rolex Rankings No. 1 Yani Tseng will look to continue her strong hold on the world's top spot. Tseng won the season-opening Honda LPGA Thailand and finished second in the Kraft Nabisco Championship last month, the season's first major. But she has plenty of challengers in the field this week who are looking for their first victory of the 2011 season including Rolex Rankings No. 3 Cristie Kerr, No. 4 Na Yeon Choi, and No. 5 Suzann Petterson.

Stacy Lewis, who became a Rolex First-Time Winner and a major champion by taking a three-stroke victory over Tseng in last month's Kraft Nabisco Championship, will be in the field. Lewis is looking to join Karrie Webb as the second back-to-back winner on Tour this year. Webb captured back-to-back wins at the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore and the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup.

Also among this year's field for the Avent LPGA Classic is 16-year-old Alexis Thompson, who received one of two sponsor's exemptions. It will be Thompson's first LPGA event in 2011.

This week's Avent LPGA Classic will be the third edition of this tournament in Mobile. The first two years of the event were called the Bell Micro Championship but Avnet, a global technology distributor, acquired Bell Micro in 2010. Angela Stanford won the inaugural Bell Micro Championship in 2008 and she will be in the field again this week. After a year hiatus in 2009, the event returned to Magnolia Grove in 2010 when Pak took the title.

While this particular event has only been held two other times, the Crossings Course played host to the Tournament of Champions from 1999-2007. Players in the field this week who won that event are Paula Creamer, Christina Kim, Dorothy Delasin, Webb and Pak.

Get to know Mollie Fankhauser in this Golfing World video. Mollie talks about rejoining the LPGA Tour, her love for pit bulls, and her collection of tattoos.

 

Michelob ULTRA Ambassador, Natalie Gulbis, is joined by Caroline Nichols, director of the LPGA Sports Medicine Program, to demonstrate specific golf fitness tips to help Refresh Your Game. Watch the video below or read the instructions that follow. Be sure to come back for a new tip each month.

 

LONG TURNS WITH A CLUB

Caroline Nichols:This exercise helps with the flexibility between your upper and lower body.  It also helps you to learn how to stabilize your lower body while rotating your upper body.

     

-Start in a half kneeling position with your front foot directly in front of your down knee.

-Raise a golf club up over your head and try and sit as tall as possible.

-Slowly begin to rotate your trunk and the club as far as possible in both directions keeping your lower body still. 

- Repeat this movement 10 times to each side.

What are Vicky Hurst's favorite things? Did you know that she loves reading Harry Potter books and listening to music on her iPod? Vicky also loves eating chocolate mousse and watching her favorite team the Orlando Magic. See all of Vicky's favorite things below.

 

A tradition that started 20 years ago with Amy Alcott is still going strong today at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Each winner takes the ceremonial leap into Poppie's Pond for one of the best celebrations on the LPGA Tour.

 

 

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The EWGA Foundation donates to the LPGA's primary junior golf initiative for 8th straight year
 
Nearly $500,000 has been raised by EWGA in support of Girls Golf

EWGA Foundation Board President Margaret Downey and Carol Corcoran, President of the LPGA Foundation

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, April 20, 2011 -- The EWGA (Executive Women's Golf Association), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, continued one longstanding tradition by making a donation to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf (Girls Golf) during the 2011 EWGA Golfpalooza Conference in Amelia Island, Fla. EWGA Foundation Board President Margaret Downey presented a check in the amount of $31,446.25 to Carol Corcoran, President of the LPGA Foundation, for the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program.
 
"The support that the EWGA Foundation and EWGA members have shown for Girls Golf over the years has been tremendous and we are very thankful of their efforts," Corcoran said. "The EWGA continues to not only be a great financial contributor to the Girls Golf program but even more importantly their members serve as volunteers for the program and mentors to thousands of girls every year."

Over the past eight years, the EWGA Foundation, through EWGA Chapters and association-wide fundraising efforts, has raised nearly $500,000 in support of LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, making the EWGA one of the largest single contributors to the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program, aside from the USGA. Many EWGA members also serve as mentors, volunteers and site directors at many Girls Golf sites around the country.
 
"These funds and the volunteer support provided by EWGA members move us closer to reaching the challenge issued by former LPGA Tour Player Judy Rankin to "put a golf club in the hands of every young girl" adds Margaret Downey, president of the EWGA Foundation.  "We want every girl to have the opportunity to get into the game.  They are our future."

LPGA-USGA Girls Golf is the LPGA's primary junior golf initiative which introduces girls from the ages of 7 to 17 to all areas of the game. The program also teaches the values inherent in the game itself - patience, perseverance, honesty and respect, providing young girls with the building blocks to become future role models both on and off the golf course.

Girls Golf, with over 200 sites around the country and more that 65,000 participants since its inception in 1989, is administered through a partnership between The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Foundation and the United States Golf Association (USGA), both 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.

 
About the Ladies Professional Golf Association
The LPGA was founded in 1950 and today boasts a membership comprised of world-class LPGA Tour professionals and more than 1,300 dedicated Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP). Players on the LPGA Tour, who represent more than 25 countries, compete globally showcasing the very best of women's professional golf. LPGA T&CP members directly impact the growth of the game through teaching, coaching and management positions, and oversee programs aimed at increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in gol

Stacy Lewis was featured on Golf Channel's Golf Central. Lewis looked back at winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship, how her grandfather helped influence her game, and shared how her struggles have helped her to overcome obstacles.

 

1997 U.S. Girls' Junior champion, 2002 LPGA Tour Rookie Of Year, now on path to become elementary-school teacher

Former professional golfer and 1997 U.S. Girls' Junior champion Beth Bauer Grace has found true happiness in teaching children at the elementary-school level. She hopes to land a full-time position this fall. (Steven Gibbons/USGA)

Article by David Shefter, USGA
April 11, 2011

Palm Harbor, Fla. - A slender, athletic-looking woman with blonde hair stands before a classroom of fifth-graders at Lake St. George Elementary School to deliver a prepared science lesson.

Poised and confident, she begins the presentation by pushing a button on a computer, instantly engaging the seated 10- and 11-year-olds.

Today's topic is the water cycle, and as the woman explains the five phases (precipitation, evaporation, percolation, transpiration and condensation), the video is projected to a large screen to provide emphasis.

Her passion is clearly evident, from her soothing delivery to her interaction with the students.

Then again, Beth Bauer Grace always had an ability to captivate an audience - she is just more accustomed to doing it with golf clubs.

Related content
Beth Bauer Grace video >>
Beth Bauer Grace photo gallery >>

When professional golf no longer fulfilled Bauer Grace, the 1997 U.S. Girls' Junior champion, two-time USA Curtis Cup player and 2002 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year decided near the end of 2007 to undergo a career transformation.

The now 31-year-old Bauer Grace - she got married this past November - did a U-turn by going back to school … literally.

On Jan. 10, Bauer Grace began a 12-week student-teaching internship at Lake St. George Elementary under the supervision of Dawn McCoy. Next month, she expects to earn her education degree from the University of Phoenix, and she hopes to secure a full-time teaching position this fall.

By then, the LPGA Tour will be firmly in her rear-view mirror.

"She has a passion for teaching," said McCoy, a 20-year veteran of the profession, the last 16 in Pinellas County. "She definitely wants to do this. You can see how she prepares and interacts with the kids."

Of course, many might question why anyone would go from the glamour of professional golf to teaching, a vocation constantly under scrutiny from parents, administrators and cash-strapped school systems.

When it comes to compensation, teachers earn significantly less than successful tour golfers. Even veteran teacher McCoy's golf-crazy husband had raised eyebrows.

For Bauer Grace, it was simply lifestyle over economics.

While golf played an enormous role in her personal development, six years on the

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New 2011 category  to acknowledge a media friendly LPGA player
 
Submissions now open for all photography and writing categories

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, April 19, 2011 - The LPGA announced today that submissions are now open for the second annual LPGA Global Media Awards Presented by Rolex, hosted by the Evian Masters. The Awards will acknowledge the best of the best in photo journalism and writing over a one-year period. Award winners will be recognized during a special event hosted at the Hotel Ermitage following second-round play at the Evian Masters on July 22, 2011.
 
Award entries will be judged in the following categories:
 
1. Column/Blog - Given to a journalist who offers the best reflection of an opinion or point of view with analysis in either the form of a column or in a blog.
 
2. Player Profile - Given to a journalist who portrays the lifestyle, personality and character of an LPGA player.
 
3. Golf Course Photograph from an LPGA Tour Event - A single image that best depicts the beauty of an LPGA Tour event golf course. Images entered may or may not feature players, but must be captured during the week of any LPGA tournament on the tournament golf course.
 
4. Player Action Photograph - A single image of a player in action during practice or competition days during the week of any LPGA tournament on the tournament golf course.
 
5. Player Personality/Emotion Photograph - A single image of a player displaying her personality, or demonstrating emotion on or off the golf course at any point in time.
 
6. Evian Masters Ambassador of the Year Photograph (Azahara Munoz) - A single image featuring 2010-11 Evian Masters Ambassador of the Year Azahara Munoz during practice or competition days at any LPGA Tour event.
 
7. Media Appreciation Award - Given to an LPGA player for excellence in working cohesively with the media on a regular basis. A select panel of prominent journalists will choose the winner
 
8. Rolex Media Excellence Award - The LPGA and its partners also will honor a prominent journalist for his or her longtime coverage of the LPGA.
 
All considered material for the second annual awards must have been published between May 24, 2010 and May 23, 2011 (the day following the 2011 Sybase Match Play Championship). All journalists and photographers who wish to submit entries, please use FTP site, 209.16.119.12 (Username/Password: lpga-media). For further information on submissions, please contact LPGA Communications Manager Kelly Thesier at (386) 274-6276 or kelly.thesier@lpga.com.
 
An independent panel of world-wide photography experts will be assembled to judge photography entries, while a panel of international members of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA) will review all written submissions.
 
The 2011 Evian Masters will welcome 111 players competing for an LPGA Tour-high purse of $3.25 million. The 72-hole event will take place July 21-24 in Evian-les-Baines, France.
 
At last year's inaugural awards ce

1. Tell me something most people don't know about you?
Everyone calls me "Beany"

2. What would you like to do for a living if you are not a pro golfer?
A Vet.

3. If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
The Queen.

4. Is there anything you're addicted to? Or can't live without?
Chocolate.

5. What is one thing you have done and would never want to do again?
Walk on hot coals.

6. What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment to date?
The births of my children Katie and Sophie.

7. What is your favorite activity you do when you want to relax?
Sleep.

8. What is your favorite time of year?
Summer.

9. Favorite quote or saying?
Treat others how you would like to be treated yourself.

10. What beauty product can you not live without?
Moisturizer.

11. What is your favorite store to shop in and why?
Target.

12. What is one item of clothing you couldn't live without?
Sneakers.

13. Name one thing you always keep stocked in your refrigerator?
Diet Coke.

14. What invention do you wish you had thought of?
Dyson vacuum cleaner.

15. Favorite way to stay in shape?
Running.

16. What chore are you great at or enjoy doing the most?
I don't like doing any chores!

17. Favorite movie of all time?
Pretty Woman.

18. If you could possess any super human power, what would it be?
Transport myself from Point A to Point B at the press of a button.

Learn more about Catriona Matthew >>

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I.K. Kim, winner of the 2010 Lorena Ochoa Invitational, visited Guadalajara, Mexico on Wednesday, April 13th to see the effect her donation has had on La Barranca, the school funded by the Lorena Ochoa Foundation. Following her victory in November, Kim pledged half her winnings to Ochoa's Foundation and half to an American charity to-be-named. Kim toured La Barranca with Ochoa, meeting the children and teaching them Korean. She was surprised to learn that the school had dedicated a classroom in her name as a sign of gratitude for her gracious gift.

I.K. KIM

MIKE SCANLAN: With us today we'd like to welcome I.K. Kim, who's a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour. Her most recent victory came at the 2010 Lorena Ochoa Invitational, and she has returned today to Guadalajara, home of the invitational, for a very special day.  As many of you know, I.K. donated her winner's check to charity after she won the Lorena Ochoa, and half of that money went to the Lorena Ochoa Foundation. I.K., if you would just give us your thoughts on your day in Guadalajara today.
I.K. KIM:  Hello, everyone.  I'm here in Guadalajara visiting Lorena's foundation school, and it was great meeting with the kids.  I know, I wasn't sure what I was going to see, or I didn't expect anything.  It was truly amazing what Lorena's foundation does with the kids, and I could really see in the kids' eyes how happy they are.  So it was very touching, yeah, and a great day.

Q. I.K., if you would just talk about the very special dedication that Lorena and the kids made to you of one of their classrooms.
I.K. KIM:  Oh, my God, I was speechless.  I didn't really expect a lot of things that happened today, and I was really humbled at what Lorena with the kids and everything, you know, the staff at the foundation.  Truly amazing because those kids are the future in Mexico, and not just for the kids but for the whole family, the communities are doing so much better now because of the school and everything.  I'm very excited for that.  And also, you know, I was speechless.

Q.  You made the announcement that you were going to donate the money the Sunday after you won, and now it's almost five months later.  Does it feel more real now that you're in Guadalajara and that you've met the children of La Barranca?  Does it feel more real, the charity work that you're doing?
I.K. KIM:  I think definitely, because even though I met the kids last year, I just wanted to share some of my earnings from the tournament, and coming here and looking at all the kids, yeah, that really made me humble and overwhelming, and I really want to continue to help those kids.  It was truly amazing what Lorena has done for all the kids out there.  She's really a great role model for all the kids.  You know, I'm very happy for the kids.

Q.  Did Lorena say anything to you specifically, any thanks for what you've done?
I.K. KIM:  Yeah, I mean, it was really nice to see Lorena agai

Suzann Pettersen was featured on Golf Channel's Morning Drive. Pettersen looked back at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, talked about her downtime between events, and shared her excitement for this year's Solheim Cup.

 

Who drives faster? Paula Creamer was paired with NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya for the Kia Classic Pro-Am tournament. Montoya, who is around a 7 or 8 handicap, is competing in this Sunday's race at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. The two stars shared golf advice throughout their round, which was completed with a little chipping contest at the 18th hole. “He's a really nice guy,” Creamer said. “He's a good player as well, and it's cool to intermix with other athletes as well. I picked up some pointers from him, and hopefully he got a few from me.”

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Article courtesy of Ladies European Tour
 
17th April 2011 - Anna Nordqvist and Sophie Gustafson retained the European Nations Cup for Sweden with a three stroke victory over England and Germany at La Sella in Spain on Sunday.

The first nation to retain the trophy in the four versions of the event, the Swedes began the final round with a three stroke advantage and finished with a four under par 68 for a total of 21 under par 267, the same score with which they triumphed 12 months earlier.

They began the final round of Valencian Cup, which is a variation on foursomes, with a birdie on the first hole and were out in one under par 35. They bogeyed the seventh and birdied the par-five ninth, when Nordqvist holed a six footer to trigger chants of ‘Sverige, Sverige, Sverige' from the large Swedish contingent in the gallery.

They were just one stroke ahead of England at that point but took charge with four birdies and just one dropped shot on the back nine.

"It was absolutely fantastic. I couldn't be happier, standing here," Nordqvist told reporters. "We had a fun team this week and it was exciting to pull out some great golf out there, so we're really happy."

Nordqvist rolled in the winning birdie putt after Gustafson chipped to three feet on the 18th green in front of a bank of waving Swedish flags.

"It means a lot having so many Swedes around here cheering us on. They had this birdie song today so you want to laugh every time they did it. They made a big effort to come here and there were a lot of people by the 18th green so it was very exciting," Nordqvist said.

English pair Laura Davies and Melissa Reid momentarily tied for the lead after mixing six birdies with one bogey on the front nine for an outward total of 31, but they stalled on the back nine until Davies holed a monster eagle putt from across the green at the last, coming back in 35 for a 66.

Davies said: "I must admit, when we made the turn and Mel made that great putt on nine, I thought, ‘We're in here,' I really thought we were going to have a strong chance but we've not had one good back nine the whole week. Again, apart from that one good putt on the 18th we struggled on the back nine, so we fizzled out a little bit, but it was good fun, I enjoyed it. We wanted to beat the Welsh more than anything else and I knew they were making a birdie so I had to finish strong and get that one to the hole."

Reid added: "We just didn't hole anything really all week. That was the first putt we holed from some distance on the 18th, which was nice, but it's such a fun week and an eagle to finish was nice."

By contrast, German pair Anja Monke and Caroline Masson was out in 33 but picked up the pace with four birdies on the back nine to come home in 32.

Masson said: "It was a nice round again, seven under again. I think that format fits us pretty well. We played good and we had a lot of fun out there so it was a nice day. It was a good week for us and I think we are quite happy with that result."

Monke added: "We will practise for the best ball a litt