LPGA Legends Tours Comes to Arkansas for the First Time
Sept. 8, 2008
Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
HORSESHOE BEND -- Twenty legends of the LPGA will tee it up for a charity pro-am at The Golf Course on Turkey Mountain in Horseshoe Bend on Sept. 28-29. The Horseshoe Bend Invitational is part of The Legends Tour, the official Senior Tour of the LPGA.
Scheduled to compete are Jan Stephenson, Amy Alcott, Pat Bradley, Cindy Rarick, Cindy Miller, Jane Blaylock, Rosie Jones, Kathy Whitworth and several more Hall of Fame inductees. All proceeds will go to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
This is the first year for this event, bringing LPGA legends to the state for the first time and marking only the second event featuring the LPGA in Arkansas in more than 50 years.
“This is the first year of a five-year commitment,” explained Chuck McNeight, the golf pro at The Golf Course on Turkey Mountain. “The big focus for this is we’re trying to showcase Arkansas as a golf and vacation destination. We’re trying to develop a rapport with the Legends Tour so over the next five years we grow the event into a televised event. We’re also trying to raise money for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.”
Located in the Ozark Mountains, Horseshoe Bend is one of the fastest growing retirement communities in the United States. Legends Tour President and former LPGA standout Jane Blalock sees it as a good fit for a pro-am that will grow into a full field tournament stop in subsequent years.
“We have a fan base in that region that would enjoy the opportunity to see Legends of the LPGA come through and tackle their local course,” said Blalock. “We are encouraged by the commitment of local supporters and excited to build and grow a viable event in their neck of the woods.”
In addition to the pro-am, there will be a putting challenge. “You can challenge Jan Stephenson,” McNeight said. Also, a community clinic will be held at the course showcasing the swings of various Legends Tour professionals.
“These LPGA Hall of Fame Legends absolutely go out of their way to make sure the fans, sponsors and volunteers have a really good time,” McNeight said. He explained that the golf professionals interact with the people who come to see them play, stopping to sign photographs and talking with the fans. “They really, really work hard,” he added. “They aren’t spoiled brat superstars. They are down to earth.”
Some LPGA professionals started The Legends Tour in 2000 to showcase the talents of some of the greatest women golfers of all time. The Legends Tour has more than 100 members, including nine World Golf and LPGA Hall of Fame members. Legends Tour players have compiled over 600 LPGA victories, including 55 major championships.
In its eighth season, The Legends Tour has awarded more than $6 million in prize money and donated more than $5.5 million to charity. Major corporate partners are American Airlines, Olay, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Sharpie. For additional information on The Legends Tour or to purchase tickets online, log on to www.thelegendstour.com. For more information on the Horseshoe Bend tournament, contact McNeight at 870-670-5252 or by email at mridproshop@centurytel.net.
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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
HORSESHOE BEND -- Twenty legends of the LPGA will tee it up for a charity pro-am at The Golf Course on Turkey Mountain in Horseshoe Bend on Sept. 28-29. The Horseshoe Bend Invitational is part of The Legends Tour, the official Senior Tour of the LPGA.
Scheduled to compete are Jan Stephenson, Amy Alcott, Pat Bradley, Cindy Rarick, Cindy Miller, Jane Blaylock, Rosie Jones, Kathy Whitworth and several more Hall of Fame inductees. All proceeds will go to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
This is the first year for this event, bringing LPGA legends to the state for the first time and marking only the second event featuring the LPGA in Arkansas in more than 50 years.
“This is the first year of a five-year commitment,” explained Chuck McNeight, the golf pro at The Golf Course on Turkey Mountain. “The big focus for this is we’re trying to showcase Arkansas as a golf and vacation destination. We’re trying to develop a rapport with the Legends Tour so over the next five years we grow the event into a televised event. We’re also trying to raise money for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.”
Located in the Ozark Mountains, Horseshoe Bend is one of the fastest growing retirement communities in the United States. Legends Tour President and former LPGA standout Jane Blalock sees it as a good fit for a pro-am that will grow into a full field tournament stop in subsequent years.
“We have a fan base in that region that would enjoy the opportunity to see Legends of the LPGA come through and tackle their local course,” said Blalock. “We are encouraged by the commitment of local supporters and excited to build and grow a viable event in their neck of the woods.”
In addition to the pro-am, there will be a putting challenge. “You can challenge Jan Stephenson,” McNeight said. Also, a community clinic will be held at the course showcasing the swings of various Legends Tour professionals.
“These LPGA Hall of Fame Legends absolutely go out of their way to make sure the fans, sponsors and volunteers have a really good time,” McNeight said. He explained that the golf professionals interact with the people who come to see them play, stopping to sign photographs and talking with the fans. “They really, really work hard,” he added. “They aren’t spoiled brat superstars. They are down to earth.”
Some LPGA professionals started The Legends Tour in 2000 to showcase the talents of some of the greatest women golfers of all time. The Legends Tour has more than 100 members, including nine World Golf and LPGA Hall of Fame members. Legends Tour players have compiled over 600 LPGA victories, including 55 major championships.
In its eighth season, The Legends Tour has awarded more than $6 million in prize money and donated more than $5.5 million to charity. Major corporate partners are American Airlines, Olay, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Sharpie. For additional information on The Legends Tour or to purchase tickets online, log on to www.thelegendstour.com. For more information on the Horseshoe Bend tournament, contact McNeight at 870-670-5252 or by email at mridproshop@centurytel.net.
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"