Atlantic City Weekly

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The return of the LPGA ShopRite Classic in 2011 doesn’t have quite the excitement that was generated last year, when the popular tournament returned after a three-year absence. Still, the LPGA players love the Seaview Bay Course and once again, most of the top female golfers in the world will participate in this year’s event.


“We have a tremendous field of players which already includes 98 of the top 100 players on the LPGA’s current money list,” said Tim Erensen, Tournament Executive Director. Top players and fan favorites returning this year include defending champion Ai Miyazato (No 7), Paula Creamer, Suzann Petterson (who won the Sybase Match Play Championship last weekend), Cristie Kerr, Yani Yseng (who is currently at the top of the LPGA’s Rolex Rankings), veteran Karrie Webb (who is back in the top ten this year at No. 9), Natalie Gulbis, Juli Inkster (a two time ShopRite Classic champion), Jiyai Shin (No. 3), Michelle Wie (No 10), Na Yeon Choi (No. 5), Se Ri Pak, Morgan Pressel and Laura Davies.


New faces to look for include Germany’s Sandra Gal, who won her first tournament this year and Alexis Thompson, 16, who made her professional debut at the ShopRite Classic last year. At age 12, she was the youngest player ever to quality for the LPGA U.S. Open. Since she is under 18, she can’t be on the LPGA Tour full time; she can play in six events a year with a special sponsor exemption, and is returning to Seaview this year via that route.


In remembering her pro debut at the ShopRite Classic last year, she says, “It was a crazy week for me but was a great experience.” Thompson bypassed going to college to play golf and explains, “I just wanted to get to the next level. I’ve wanted to be a golf professional my whole life and play against the best players in the world.”


Also earning a tournament sponsor exemption is Mays Landing’s Joanna Coe. Coe, an Oakcrest High School graduate, is one of the country’s top amateur players as a senior at Rollins College in Florida. At last year’s tournament, she shot a three-under par 68 to win the tournament qualifier. Although she failed to make the cut, she will make her professional debut this year at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.


The 54-hole official event will offer a $1.5 million purse and will be televised live on the Golf Channel.

Tournament Schedule and Information 


Format: Three day, 54-hole stroke play


Field: 150 players; Purse: $1.5 million, $225,000 winner’s check


Monday, May 30


• All Day - Professional practice rounds (open to the public, free admission) 


• 1pm - LPGA Qualifier (open to the public, free admission) 


Tuesday, May 31 


• All Day - Professional practice rounds (open to the public, free admission)


Wednesday, June 1 


• Official Pro-Am, Day One (open to the public, free admission)


• Pro-Am Celebration (The Pool at Harrah’s, invitation only)


Thursday, June 2 


• Official Pro-Am, Day Two (open to the public, free admission)


Friday, June 3 


• Round one w/Golf Channel coverage 12-2am


• Chateau Ste. Michelle wine tasting behind 1 tee/18 green at Seaview, 12-2pm (must be 21)


• Kia autograph signing session with Michelle Wie at 3pm at Seaview


Saturday, June 4 


• Round two w/Golf Channel live coverage 5-7pm


• Chateau Ste. Michelle wine tasting behind 1 tee/18 green at Seaview, 12-4pm 


• South Jersey Industries Junior Golf Show 1-3pm at Seaview’s Driving Range, hosted by LPGA players. Free show, admission into the Tournament afterward


Sunday, June 5 


• Final round w/Golf Channel live coverage 5-7pm


• Awards ceremony immediately following play 


Tickets


Good Any Day Grounds Ticket for $15; Weekly Grounds Pass for $30; Weekly Clubhouse Pass for $60 (provides access inside the resort at Seaview with several dining options)


Free ticket promotions:


• Children age 17 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult


• ShopRite Price Plus Members will receive two tickets per day by showing a valid membership card at the admissions gate


• All service personnel (military, fire and police) will be admitted free of charge throughout the Tournament with proper ID


General Parking – Galloway Municipal Offices Complex, 300 Jimmie Leeds Rd., Galloway, $5. A free shuttle is available to take spectators to and from the General Parking location. Shuttles will run continuously throughout the day during the tournament competition.