New Golf Professional Sarah Hoffman was awarded Volvik’s Sponsor Exemption to play in the Ann Arbor LPGA Championship.
The party is in full swing.
The enthusiasm surrounding the inaugural LPGA Volvik Championship at Travis Pointe Country Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 23-29, seems to grow unabated. That’s a good thing – and it seems to be contagious, attracting some big local support and atypical sponsors.
Pro-Am Sponsor A123 Systems CEO Jason Forcier
In recent weeks, Michigan-based advanced battery developer, A123 Systems, stepped up as the lead Pro-Am sponsor. Detroit’s DTE Energy is the Military Appreciation sponsor. And Schupan Recycling of nearby Wixom was named official Sustainability Sponsor.
“We have a great opportunity to develop a unique sustainability program for the tournament and hope the best practices will carry over to other tour events,” said Jessica Loding, Schupan Recycling events coordinator.
Motawi Tileworks Founder and Owner Nawal Motawi is designing the LPGA Volvik Championship Trophy.
In addition, Nawal Motawi, founder and owner of the nationally recognized Motawi Tileworks, based in Ann Arbor, was tapped to create the championship trophy. The Pro-Am pairing party will be in the University of Michigan’s Crisler Arena and will tunnel onto the field of the U-M ‘Big House’ football stadium. And Sarah Hoffman, a nurse turned newly annointed golf professional who grew up golfing at Travis Pointe, was awarded the Volvik sponsor’s exemption to play in her first LPGA Tour competition, on her family’s home course.
“It’s a dream come true,” Hoffman said.
LPGA Volvik Tournament Director Keith Karbo
That suits the mood for all involved in LPGA tourney. It’s one of 33 on the 2016 LPGA schedule and the only new addition this year, said Volvik Championship Tournament Director Keith Karbo. Already, nearly 5,000 tickets have been sold to attendees in seven states and Canada, and 564 volunteers have signed up to help from 95 different cities in eight states and Canada.
“The preliminary field list shows nine of the top 10 LPGA players, and 12 of the top 15” ready to compete for the $1.3 million purse, Karbo said. Plus, tournament players will be tallying qualifying points for the upcoming Olympic Games.
In addition, on May 18, an 18-hole, stroke-play pre-qualifier for women amateurs will be held at the City of Ann Arbor’s Leslie Park Golf Course. From that event, the top two players will earn an automatic exemption into the official LPGA Local Qualifying Tournament at Eagle Crest Golf Club in Ypsilanti, May 23rd. The top two from that event will be invited to play in the 72-hole LPGA Volvik Championship at Travis Pointe.
For more information, tournament tickets or to sign up as a volunteer, visit www.volviklpga.com
