DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 30, 2013 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) announced today that the field is full for the second annual Team Championship and Academy to be conducted June 9-11, 2013 at The Kiawah Island Club, Kiawah Island, S.C. The 130 Championship and Academy participants are all active Girls Golf members from one of the 250 Girls Golf sites across the country.
"We have been excited about this event coming back to the Kiawah Island Club for a year now," said Nancy Henderson, President of The LPGA Foundation. "The girls are going to get to meet other girls from all over the country, build lasting friendships and experience competition in a fun and supportive environment.”
The River Course at The Kiawah Island Club will provide a major championship stage upon which the girls will compete. The LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Team Championship is a 36-hole team competition with girls placed into three “divisions” based on age and ability.
The winner of the Bell-McIntire division, honoring former USGA President Judy Bell and two-time U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Barbara McIntire, two pioneers for girls’ golf, will have their names inscribed on the Bell-McIntire perpetual trophy. LPGA Hall of Fame and World Golf Hall of Fame member, Nancy Lopez, will be on site to present the trophy to the winning team.
Thanks to money raised by the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup and Kiawah Island Club members, over 40 participants have been awarded grants, helping to make this event accessible and affordable for all girls.
VIDEO: LPGA-USGA Girls Golf at the CME Group Titleholders
Carol Preisinger, Director of Instruction for The Kiawah Island Club, leads a team of more than 15 LPGA Teaching Professionals who will provide instruction to the girls participating in the Academy. The goal is to not only teach the girls proper stance and swing, but to also stress the importance of a healthy lifestyle and to provide them with the tools to leave energized and prepared to meet the challenges of today’s world.
“The fact that we have so many great LPGA Teaching Professionals plus LPGA Hall of Famer, Nancy Lopez, participating in the hands-on instruction will create an amazing experience for the girls,” said Preisinger. “They are all incredible role models, both on and off the course.”