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James E. McGreevey |
William D. Watley |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Karen Wolfe - 609.292.2523 |
TOP WOMEN GOLFERS
SWING INTO ACTION AT Defending Champion Annika Sorenstam and 13-year-old Michelle Wie to Compete Atlantic City Area, N.J. (June 12, 2003)—Step on to the green at New Jersey’s ShopRite LPGA Classic and watch the best women golfers in the world, including defending champion and golf’s reigning superstar Annika Sorenstam and 13-year-old phenomenon Michelle Wie, swing into action from Monday, June 23 through Sunday, June 29, 2003. These top female golfers in the world will compete in three rounds of championship golf for $1.3 million at the Seaview Marriott Resort and Spa Bay Course (Seaview) in Galloway Township. Now in its 18th year, the ShopRite LPGA Classic has become one of the most prestigious events on the LPGA Tour and has raised more than $7 million for state and local non-profit organizations. The weeklong event offer several special events and activities, including the two-day Pro/Am held on Seaview’s two championship courses on Tuesday, June 24th and Wednesday, Jun 25th. The event will also feature the Ronald McDonald House Charities® LPGA Tour Junior Clinic on Thursday, June 26th, where children between the ages of seven and 17 can learn golfing skills directly from the pros at no charge. “The ShopRite LPGA Classic is one of the most successful and most popular sporting events held annually in New Jersey,” said Nancy Byrne, executive director of the New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism. “It’s also an event that underscores the extent to which New Jersey in general and South Jersey in particular has become a true golf destination. ” “Our state is home to more than 200 private and public golf courses that challenge every le vel of golfer,” added Byrne. “Especially challenging are our courses in the Atlantic City region, which are among the highest rated in Golf Digest’s ‘Places to Play 2002-2003.’ The Atlantic City area is not just for golfers, though. Visitors can enjoy our beaches, head to the casinos, see Historic Smithville and more. Anyone can make a 3-day weekend out of a visit to Atlantic County and never run out of things to do.” Tournament attendees will also have an opportunity to raise funds for breast cancer research and prevention while enjoying a gourmet dinner. “The Taste of the LPGA” with world-renowned chef, Ming Tsai will take place on Tuesday evening, June 24, at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City presented by Sun National Bank. Dinner guests will include Annika Sorenstam and many other LPGA players, tournament sponsors, business and community leaders and more. Proceeds from the dinner event will benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The ShopRite LPGA Classic’s Women’s Forum, presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and TUMS, will feature renowned physician and author Deepak Chopra, M.D. Acknowledged as one of the world’s foremost authorities in the field of mind body medicine, Dr. Chopra will address the Women’s Forum on Thursday, June 26th at the Trump Marina Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Proceeds from the Women’s Forum will benefit the ShopRite LPGA Classic’s Birdies fore babies fund. To purchase tickets for the event, call 609-383-8330 or visit the ShopRite LPGA Classic Web site at https://www.shopritelpga.org/. Tickets are free for children 15 and under accompanied by a ticketed adult. More information on the ShopRite LPGA Classic can also be obtained by contacting the New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism at 609-292-2470. Parties interested in receiving a free copy of the 2003 New Jersey Travel Guide can contact the office at 1-800-VISITNJ (847-4865) or visit the New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism’s Web site at www.visitnj.org. |
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