Angela Stanford loves sports. Particularly baseball. Her Instagram feed is littered with photos from the sidelines of the Horned Frogs of TCU, her alma mater, and her beloved Texas Rangers.
So, the sports fanatic was quite jealous when fellow LPGA pros Brittany Lincicome, Brittany Lang, Lexi Thompson and Brooke Henderson teed it up at the PGA Tour Champions’ Diamond Resorts Invitational, where they got to play with current and former athletes.
Now, it’s Stanford’s turn.
With her victory at the Evian Championship, Stanford earned a spot in the winners-only field at the inaugural Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, formerly the Diamond Resorts Invitational, which is being staged in January. The Texas native, who loves her Rangers and dons their logo on her yardage book, is thrilled to tee it up with players like “Pudge” Rodriguez and Tim Wakefield, who joined her on a conference call to discuss the tournament on Thursday.
“When I heard about this event, I have to say it was one of those I really want to make,” Stanford said during the call. “I think it’s going to be an amazing event.”
When Stanford was asked which athlete she hoped to play with at Tranquilo Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, she responded like a true sports fan.
“Everybody,” Stanford said about whom she most wants to meet. “Just being a baseball fan and a fan of sports in general, I can’t wait to meet these players.”
And the feeling is mutual.
Wakefield, a two-time World Series Champion, has been an annual participant in the celebrity event. He’s also a friend of Lincicome’s and seeing her regularly outdrive him has given him a whole new appreciation for the women’s game. After watching Stanford win the Evian Championship, Wakefield said Stanford is first on his wish list of playing partners.
“I was really impressed with her game and I know she hits it far,” Wakefield said about watching her major victory. “It’s an honor to be invited to this and meet some of these LPGA players.”
Rodriguez, a former Ranger and long-time friend of Stanford’s, is a yearly participant in the celebrity event. He couldn’t help but be biased about getting the chance to tee it up with his good friend and added that he’s as impressed with her golf game as he is her knowledge of baseball.
“She’s spent a few games with me sitting right behind the plate and talking baseball. Not golf, just baseball.” Rodriguez said. “She’s a very good baseball fan.”
Stanford will be in her glory among some of the baseball greats who are competing in January’s event. Early commitments include John Smoltz, Justin Verlander, Roger Clemens, Mark DeRosa, Jon Lester, Mark Mulder and Phil Nevin. They’ll compete alongside the winners from the 2017 and 2018 seasons on the LPGA Tour, including Stanford.
“For me, it’s a big deal because you have to be a winner to play,” said Stanford. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
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