THAT TEXAS FEELING
The LPGA touches down in Texas this week as the 2018 Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic is hosted by the Old American Golf Club for the first time. Players who call the Lone Star state ‘home’ are balancing their time between practice and being with family and friends.
Texas native Brittany Lang said, “I’m from McKinney, I grew up here, and I still live here. I love Texas. The people are so nice. We have good food. And I love being home. But I think the girls enjoy it. Dallas, you know, it’s easy to get in and out of at the airport. We have great barbecue and Tex-Mex. And they seem to like the venues, and they do a nice job with it. But, again, the people are super nice. And it’s newer areas around here, which I think the girls like, newer hotels and places to stay, which when you travel is nice.” The major champion added, “But I’m definitely biased, so I might be the wrong person to answer.”
Fellow Texan Angela Stanford describes her home state as having a “laid-back, happy-to-have-you kind of feel.” The Horned Frog has plenty of experience playing in the windy conditions but still foresees a challenge on her home turf.
“Well, you know, it’s funny, everybody says, ‘Oh, you’re from Texas, you love the wind.’ No. Nobody loves the wind. I think it’s going to be a very challenging week… I think that’s what’s going to make this course really difficult, because you can hit three different shots into the same green and get three different results,” Stanford said.
Jenny Shin, won her first LPGA title at this event two years ago, played at Las Colinas Country Club. The 25-year-old said, “I’m pretty happy to be here. Good memories. And I know it’s a different golf course, but it’s got a similar feel. It’s really windy, a lot of runoffs on the greens, and I’m pretty happy.”
BARBARA VOGT NAMED AWARD RECIPIENT FOR LPGA’S XL CATLIN VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
A new program launched in 2018 to recognize exemplary volunteers at each LPGA tournament. Marshal Chairman Barbara Vogt has been serving as co-chair/chair for four years and has been marshaling at Colonial for eight years. Her team has been nomination by the tournament staff because of her initiative and recruitment efforts to recruit volunteers for the even at an inaugural site.
In addition, Vogt will join other tournament volunteers nominated throughout the year for a season-ending random drawing that will award a donation of $10,000 in the winning nominee’s name to the charity of the tournament for which the volunteer serves.
Click here for more information on the XL Catlin Volunteer Service Award.
ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
144 players; 72 holes, stroke play; after 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 70 and ties
The event was played at Las Colinas Sport Club as the North Texas LPGA Shootout from 2013 - 2014 and played as Volunteers of America North Texas Shootout from 2015 to 2017. This year is the first year at Old American Golf Course as the Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic.
PURSE
$1.3 million USD; winner’s portion is $195,000
TV TIMES – SHOWTIME IN PRIMETIME
Thursday, May 3: 10:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
Friday, May 4: 10:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 5: 5:30-8 p.m.
Sunday, May 6: 5:30-8 p.m.
WHITELINE PAR AND YARDAGE
36-35–71, 6,475 yards (par and yardage are subject to change through the start of the tournament)
PAST FIVE CHAMPIONS AND RUNNERS-UP
2017: Haru Nomura, 281 (-3); defeated Cristie Kerr with birdie on sixth extra hole
2016: Jenny Shin, 270 (-14); Amy Yang and Mi Jung Hur, 272 (-12)
2015: Inbee Park, 269 (-15); Cristie Kerr and Hee Young Park, 272 (-12)
2014: Stacy Lewis, 268 (-16); Meena Lee, 274 (-10)
2013: Inbee Park, 271 (-13); Carlota Ciganda, 272 (-12)
TOURNAMENT SCORING RECORDS
18 holes: 63 (-8) Dori Carter, second round, 2017
36 holes: 132 (-10), Gerina Piller, 2016
54 holes: 199 (-14), Gerina Piller, 2016
72 holes: 268 (-16), Stacy Lewis, 2014
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