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The LPGA has a brand new blue-chip title sponsor in Ford Motor Firm, the tour introduced on Tuesday. The upcoming Ford Championship will happen at Seville Golf and Nation Membership, March 28-31, in Gilbert, Arizona.
Final yr, the LPGA cease at Superstition Mountain Golf and Nation Membership, referred to as the Drive On Championship, didn’t have a title sponsor.
Mina Harigae is a member at Superstition and stated that fellow member Tim Hovik, proprietor of San Tan Ford in Gilbert, had such a blast eventually yr’s Drive On that he referred to as Ford’s company headquarters to attempt to get them concerned.
“I can’t consider it did it,” stated Harigae, “however that’s how a lot ardour he has for this.”
Whereas Superstition wished to host once more, she continued, the proposed dates didn’t work for the membership.
“Ford’s collaboration with the LPGA Tour represents our dedication to supporting ladies in sports activities and showcasing their unimaginable expertise on a worldwide stage,” Lisa Materazzo, world chief advertising officer, Ford Motor Firm, stated in a launch. “By way of the Ford Championship introduced by KCC, we goal to raise the visibility of feminine athletes within the {golfing} world and encourage a brand new technology of followers.”
The LPGA has held an occasion in Arizona greater than 70 occasions over the course of the tour’s practically 75-year historical past. Celine Boutier received final yr’s Drive On Championship at Superstition Mountain, the primary of 4 titles for the Frenchwoman in 2023.
Seville Golf and Nation Membership, which counts tour participant Alena Sharp as a member, was designed by Gary Panks and opened in 2000. Sharp stated the final 4 holes are the most effective on the course, noting that the par-4 sixteenth is drivable, the par-3 seventeenth is an island inexperienced and the par-5 18th can be reachable in two.
“Our greens are the most effective greens round,” stated Sharp, “they’re quick. I believe the ladies are actually going to love it. There’s danger/reward and the course is in nice form. That’s what we like.”
A subject of 144 gamers will compete in Gilbert for a $2 million purse. LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan stated the present cope with Ford is for one yr, however they’re already in talks concerning the future.
Marcoux Samaan additionally praised the fan assist LPGA occasions obtain in Arizona, noting that ticket gross sales is a key space of development the tour is concentrated on in 2024.
“The fandom is so great,” she stated. “Final yr, we simply determined to do this occasion comparatively late within the yr and we had among the finest crowds of the yr.”
Tom Mackin contributed to this story.
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