By Sean Fawcett
It’s that time of year again. It’s time for the ShopRite LPGA Classic at historic Seaview Golf Club.
Englishwoman Mel Reid will look to defend her October 2020 ShopRite LPGA Classic crown from Friday October 1st through Sunday October 3rd in Galloway against other world class players including 2019 champion and major title winner Lexi Thompso. In the field of competitors is six of the world’s current top ten players like Jin Young Ko(2), Inbee Park(3), Sei Young Kim(4), Hyo-Joo Kim(6), and American Danielle Kang(7). Major winner Brooke Henderson(8) and two-time, and back-to-back ShopRite champion Anna Nordqvist, recent winner of the 2021 AIG Open Championship at Carnoustie, Scotland will be there. Tour veteran, World Golf Hall of Famer and fan favorite Laura Davies, winner of 87 professional tournaments and the 1992 ShopRite Classic runner-up is also participating.
2021 Solheim Cup players Brittany Altomare(U.S.), Celine Boutier(Europe), Matilda Castren(Europe), Ally Ewing(U.S.), 2019 Open champion Georgia Hall(Europe), Marina Harigae(U.S.), Charley Hull(Europe), Madeline Sagstrom(Europe), Leona Maguire(Europe), 2020 Open champion Sophia Popov(Europe), Jennifer Kupcho(U.S.) and others join American representatives Thompson, Kang and Europe’s Nordqvist round out this year’s outstanding field of golfers.
Past winners of the coveted ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer crystal trophy include LPGA stars Stacy Lewis and Paula Creamer and World Golf Hall of Famers Karrie Webb, Juli Inkster, Annika Sorenstam, Betsy King and Se Ri Pak(1999), as well as CBS GOLF commentator Dottie Pepper.
In addition, this year’s event will also feature a first-ever all women commentating and broadcast crew including The Golf Channel’s Karen Stupples, Cara Banks, Hall of Famer Judy Rankin, Kay Cockerill and Paige Mackenzie and producer Beth Hutter.
The ShopRite LPGA Classic, which began as the Atlantic City LPGA Classic, has been a Tour leader in charitable contributions over the tournament’s long history, raising more than $37,000,000 since 1981. Top corporate tournament sponsors include Acer, ShopRite, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Rothman Institute Orthopaedics, KIA, Enterprise Rental Car, Black Bear and Snapple.
Admission to practice rounds and the pro-am days are free for everyone. For all ticket information, volunteering opportunities, and all other information please check out the ShopRite LPGA Classic’s official website http://www.shopritelpgaclassic.com/.
“We’re honored to once again attract the best players in the game to South Jersey for the ShopRite LPGA Classic,” said Tournament Director Bill Hansen. “ We are equally as excited to welcome back fans to the tournament this year and representing South Jersey on a global scale both in person and to audiences around the world via television.”
