WEST POINT, Miss., May 15, 2014 – Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez was announced today at Old Waverly Golf Club as the captain of the United States Team in this year’s ISPS Handa Cup.
A fan favorite for decades on the LPGA Tour, and a current draw on the LPGA’s Legends Tour, Lopez will both captain the Americans and play for the U.S. side in the ninth ISPS Handa Cup, set for September 25-28.
“It was a thrill for me when I heard we were coming back to Old Waverly,” said Lopez, winner of 48 LPGA tournaments. “I know the LPGA Legends will put on a great show at this year’s Handa Cup.”
Old Waverly last hosted many of the former LPGA Tour players in 1999, when it staged the U.S. Women’s Open Championship won by Juli Inkster. This fall, the course will play host to the Handa Cup, an international team competition that pits U.S.-born LPGA Legends (age 45-over) against internationally born LPGA Legends in 36 holes of head-to-head stroke-play competition.
The World Team defeated Team U.S.A. for the first time last year with a 27-21 victory, so Lopez and her American squad will be seeking to regain the Handa Cup in Mississippi.
“We are very excited to be hosting the LPGA Legends and September is the perfect time of year to play Old Waverly,” said Chris Jester, Old Waverly’s Director of Golf. “The golf course will be in fantastic shape and it is a pleasure to welcome these players back.”
Inkster will return to Old Waverly this fall for the ISPS Handa Cup and make her debut in the event alongside Lopez and U.S. teammates Beth Daniel, Meg Mallon, Pat Bradley and Rosie Jones – all former players and captains for the U.S. Solheim Cup Team. Inkster will captain the 2015 U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
The World Team will be captained by South Africa’s Sally Little and will feature former European Solheim Cup players Laura Davies, Trish Johnson and Alison Nicholas, all of Great Britain, as well as Sweden’s Liselotte Neumann, who captained Europe’s victorious 2013 Solheim Cup Team. Canadian Lorie Kane (ineligible for the Solheim Cup) will round out the World Team at this year’s ISPS Handa Cup.
Grounds passes are $10 per day and clubhouse passes are for $25 per day. Tickets are available at www.thelegendstour.com and at www.OldWaverly.com/HandaCup, as well as at the Old Waverly golf shop, several local businesses in West Point, or by calling 662-494-8780.
Here is the schedule of events for the 2014 ISPS Handa Cup:
Thursday, Sept. 25 – Opening ceremony
Friday, Sept. 26 – Blue Cross blue Shield of Mississippi Pro-Am tournament. Pro-am teams will be comprised of one LPGA Legend, three adult amateurs and one junior player selected from the Old Waverly junior golf program (boys and girls, ages 8-16). Opening matches announced following the pro-am.
Saturday, Sept. 27 – Team matches. Individual matches announced following team play.
Sunday, Sept. 28 – Individual matches, with a closing ceremony following play
About The Legends Tour
The Legends Tour is the official senior tour of the LPGA. The tour began in 2000 by LPGA professionals to showcase the talents of some of the greatest women’s golfers of all time. The Legends Tour has more than 120 members, including 12 LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame members. Legends Tour players have over 675 combined LPGA Tour victories, including 70 major championships. In its 13 seasons, The Legends Tour has awarded more than $11 million in prize money and helped raise more than $14 million for charity. The Legends Tour has hosted events in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Japan and Australia. For additional information on The Legends Tour, log on to www.thelegendstour.com.
Contact: Sue Fracker at 617-513-4716 or sfracker@jbcgolf.com.
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