Third annual tournament will again benefit Riley Children’s Foundation
BOSTON, July 2, 2015 – LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame member Juli Inkster wears a lot of hats these days as an LPGA Tour member, the 2015 U.S. Solheim Cup Team Captain and a TV commentator for Fox Sports.
But while she doesn’t get to compete as much as she would like, the Californian said she is looking forward to competing in her first Legends Championship, presented by Old National Bank.
The Legends Tour’s only major championship will be staged Aug. 28-30. The third annual, 36-hole event will return to the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort in Indiana, which hosted the 2015 Senior PGA Championship earlier this year. The Legends Tour is the official senior tour of the LPGA.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the tournament and that French Lick is a tough golf course,” said Inkster, who has 31 LPGA Tour wins, including seven major championships.
“And having played Crooked Stick Golf Club, another Pete Dye-designed course, in the 2005 Solheim Cup, I know you have to think your way around his courses,” added Inkster. “His courses challenge your game and you have to be hitting the ball well to score.”
Inkster mentioned the course-record, 9-under-par 63 score recorded by Sherri Steinhauer at the 2014 Legends Championship.
“Maybe there are some low scores to be had at French Lick,” she said. “We’ll be playing there at a good time of year, so hopefully we’ll have good weather and get some great crowds to come support the Legends Tour.”
Inkster will be in the TV booth again for Fox Sports next week at the U.S. Women’s Open Championship. She plans to take off a week after the Open, and then play two LPGA tournaments, including the 2015 Ricoh Women’s British Open.
But between competitions and broadcasting duties, Inkster will also be watching top American players to prepare as captain for her U.S. squad at the Solheim Cup in September. The U.S. side has lost the last two biennial events to Europe and this year’s Solheim Cup will be staged in Germany.
“I have a lot of things going on,” said the all-time top points winner as a U.S. Solheim Cup Team member. “But I enjoy playing and that’s why I do it.”
A field of 56 Legends of the LPGA players will compete for a purse of $300,000 at this year’s championship. A special event will be held for six “Super LPGA Legends” (age 63 and over), who will compete for a separate purse.
The event’s pro-am tournament will be held on Aug. 28, followed by the two tournament rounds. All tournament proceeds will benefit Riley’s Children’s Foundation.
Florida’s Laurie Rinker will return to defend her title, and Steinhauer, who will seek her third Legends Tour tournament win, hopes to improve on her 2014 runner-up finish.
For tickets and event details, visit www.frenchlick.com.
For more information on The Legends Tour, visit www.thelegendstour.com.
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