For the second consecutive year, five young amateurs will get the opportunity to play alongside the pros thanks to Judy Rankin’s JTR Suitcase Fund and Volunteers of America.
Because of the partnership with Volunteers of America and CEO Mike King’s support, the girls will get a chance to play in the official Volunteers of America Texas Shootout pro-am. Since the event follows a 9&9 pro-am format, each girl will have the chance to meet and play with two different LPGA players. Last year, five West Texans got to play with the likes of In Gee Chun, Shanshan Feng and Tiffany Joh.
“It is our second year to have this partnership with Mike King and Volunteers of America,” Rankin said. “It’s been more than fun to randomly select girls from West Texas to come enjoy an LPGA event and pro-am.”
Of the five high schoolers chosen this year, three are from Rankin’s hometown of Midland, one is from Andrews and one is from Lubbock.
This year, the five young players also received an invitation to attend the official pro-am party which will be held on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, as part of the Volunteers of America national conference.
The purpose of the JTR Suitcase Fund is to help young girls financially during the Summer months, to create golfers for life and help to foster a love of the game.
The Volunteers of America Texas Shootout annually holds the HS/College Shootout to provide four amateurs the opportunity to tee it up alongside professionals and earn exemption to play in the tournament. Last year, Rankin came up with the idea to extend an additional opportunity to get younger players involved by providing five girls each year with the opportunity to interact with LPGA players and experience a professional tournament.
“The best part of this project is we get to surprise a young player with a letter of invitation,” Rankin said.
The Volunteers of America Texas Shootout Presented by JTBC will tee off at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas from April 27-30.
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