LPGA pros to join Val Skinner for annual tournament to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and research
PARAMUS, N.J., (May 12, 2009) – Twenty-eight of the most elite women golfers in the world from the LPGA, including LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame members Beth Daniel and Karrie Webb and top ranked players Angela Stanford, Morgan Pressel, Brittany Lincicome, Helen Alfredsson, Christiana Kim and Laura Diaz will participate in the tenth annual LIFE (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) Event hosted by LPGA veteran and event founder Val Skinner.
The 2009 LIFE Event will celebrate its tenth anniversary on May 18th at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J., home of the PGA Tour’s 2008 Barclays Tournament. The LIFE Event, the biggest single-day golf event fundraiser for breast cancer initiatives, has raised more than $5 million dollars for the breast cancer fight since its inception in 2000.
Over the past decade, the LIFE Event pro-am has drawn participation from more than 65 pros representing 14 countries. The 2009 event unites more than 25 LPGA pros, representing countries including the United States, Sweden, England, Finland, Australia and Scotland in celebration of the tenth anniversary. This year’s field represents a pro list typically seen only at major LPGA tournaments.
"The scope of breast cancer is global," said Skinner. "I started the LIFE Event a decade ago to give women golfers from all countries an opportunity to join together in the fight for a cure. The disease has touched all of our lives."
LIFE benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the LPGA's official national charity and largest private backer of breast cancer research and education, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and the Young Survival Coalition. With Skinner, these organizations established the Young Women's Initiative to target young women with the breast cancer message. They have used LIFE funds to establish programs such as BioCONECT, the Komen On the Go™ Tour and other cancer education, research and prevention programs.
Skinner, a six-time winner on the LPGA Tour, lost her close friend and fellow LPGA player, Heather Farr, to breast cancer at the young age of 28. As a result, Skinner has been passionately dedicated to raising funds for programs that educate young women on the risks of breast cancer and funding awareness and research programs to help fight the disease in memory of her friend. Many of the LPGA stars that support The Val Skinner Foundation have also watched friends and family lose their battle with breast cancer and participate in LIFE to create a brighter future for all young women.
Accomplishments as of May 12, 2009
• Helen Alfredsson, Sweden - Kraft Nabisco Champion with seven career victories and 14 international victories; eight European Solheim Cup team appearances; first ever LPGA International Players Director
• Beth Bader, USA - four top 10 finishes
• Minea Blomqvist, Finland – five international victories
• Nicole Castrale, USA - one career victory; one U.S. Solheim Cup team appearance
• Beth Daniel, USA - LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame member; LPGA Champion with 33 career victories; eight U.S. Solheim Cup team appearances including Captain of the 2009 U.S. team
• Laura Davies, England – 20 career victories; 51 international victories; 1996 Rolex Player of the Year; 10 European Solheim Cup team appearances; member of the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup Team in 1984
• Laura Diaz, USA - two career victories; four U.S. Solheim Cup team appearances
• Michelle Ellis, Australia - eight top 10 finishes; current president of LPGA Tour's Players Directors
• Meaghan Francella, USA – one career victory; five top 10 finishes
• Louise Friberg, Sweden - one career victory since 2008 rookie year
• Kim Hall, USA - three top 10 finishes since 2006 rookie year
• Christina Kim, USA - two career victories; one U.S. Solheim Cup team appearance
• Carin Koch, Sweden - two career victories and two international victories; four European Solheim Cup team appearances
• Kelli Kuehne, USA - one career victory; two U.S. Solheim Cup team appearances
• Stacy Lewis, USA - two top 10 finishes in 2008, prior to becoming a LPGA Tour rookie in 2009
• Brittany Lincicome, USA - 2009 Kraft Nabisco Champion with three career victories; one U.S. Solheim Cup team appearance
• Meg Mallon, USA - Two-time Women's Open Champion, LPGA Champion, British Open Champion with18 career victories; eight U.S. Solheim Cup team appearances including co-captain of the 2009 U.S. team
• Michelle McGann, USA - seven career victories and one international victory; one U.S. Solheim Cup team appearance
• Kristy McPherson, USA - seven top 10 finishes since 2007 rookie year
• Janice Moodie, Scotland - two career victories; two European Solheim Cup team appearances
• Stacy Prammanasudh, USA - two career victories; one U.S. Solheim Cup team appearance
• Morgan Pressel, USA - youngest woman in history to win a major; Kraft Nabisco Champion with two career victories; one U.S. Solheim Cup team appearance
• Karin Sjodin, Sweden – one international victory; three top ten finishes
• Angela Stanford, USA - four career victories; two U.S. Solheim Cup team appearances
• Karen Stupples, England – Women’s British Open Champion; two career victories; one European Solheim Cup team appearance
• Wendy Ward, USA - four career victories; three U.S. Solheim Cup team appearances
• Karrie Webb, Australia – LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame member; seven majors including the LPGA's Grand Slam; 36 career victories and nine international victories
• Linda Wessberg, Sweden – six international victories; five top ten finishes
For more information about the 2009 LIFE Event visit www.valskinnerfoundation.org.
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