by JAMIE MCWILLIAMS
TAMPA BAY, Florida – When the LPGA launched a tournament in Tampa Bay six years ago, they remade and restored Donald Ross-designed course, with course conditions rivaling Augusta was the main attraction.
And with the prestigious season-ending CME Championship looming the following week, it drew top LPGA talent to the inaugural Pelican Women’s Championship. It was televised, but no one saw fans on the course. Thank you Covid.
And scratch the thunderous finish. Then there was Annika Sorenstam, one of the best LPGA players ever, exploring possibilities to expand women’s professional golf. In 2023 she became the tournament host and namesake. And while the official name became a mouthful, her embracing the event to continue promoting her Annika Foundation, took it to another level.
Annika’s involvement wasn’t just a Sunday cherry for Gainbridge Insurance.
“I’ll be on site most of the time. What can I say? I do everything,” said the LPGA & World Golf Hall of Famer. “I wear a lot of hats, but mostly try to just make sure the players and the fans and the partners are happy.” With that degree of commitment, their support has been robust and unwavering.”
“It’s been successful I feel like since day one,” Annika says proudly. “It’s hard to find things to improve every year, but the team is just really dedicated to making sure this is one of the best stops on the LPGA. As far as the schedule goes it’s towards the end, pretty much the last official event for all the players, so that’s why we are grateful for a great field.”
It has also been a second home on tour for three-time winner, World No. 1 and Rolex Player of the year Nelly Korda. Just one win away from qualifying as a Hall of Famer, with a home base less than an hour away, and her familiarity with Florida playing conditions, she would love etching her golf history legacy in the presence of ostensibly the greatest LPGA player of all time. A claim bolstered by the fact that she is still the LPGA’s all time leading money winner almost two decades past her retirement from the tour.
Sponsor’s exemptions to the Annika are a golden ticket for aspiring up and comers because the its premier stature. This year the three are University of Miami sophomore and preseason All-American Scarlett Schremmer, who’s mother played the LPGA Tour, Wake Forest senior All-American Macy Pate, and 2027 LPGA Tour rookie and Sarasota resident Annabelle Pancake-Webb, who participated alongside Annika at the Media Day press conference.
Annika attended the University of Arizona, and while compiling a stellar record, after two years she left to turn pro. With more avenues to gain entry to the LPGA now, and for top talent to rake in NIL (name, image, likeness) money, I asked if she believes this is benefiting the tour?
“I wish we had NIL when I played. I don’t know if that would’ve made me stay in school longer,” she responded with a smile. ” Maybe it would’ve. With women’s golf, I don’t think it’s getting out of hand. It’s a big step to become a professional. All of a sudden you’re by yourself, no teammates, no coach. You have caddies and sponsors and have to do all that.”
Collegiate golf is also more highly visible than ever due to The Golf Channel, so for invitees like Annabelle Pancake-Webb, this exposure can help prepare them for performing on a much bigger stage.
“I loved watching players in college when I was younger,” she added. “If you can get exposed to it in college at a younger age and getting used to having cameras around and competing against great players, I think that’s awesome.”
Another benefit for many players is complementary housing provided near the property, and for some that Golden Ticket includes on site accommodations for the tournament. Not only does it save them expenses, but also lets them have almost unlimited access for preparation.
2027 is fast approaching, and will mark 20 years that Annika has been at the helm of her Foundation. When asked if some of the those early teens who were alums of the Foundation have also played in this event, her reply really shook me….nearly sixty! So what’s in a name? Here, quite a lot.
https://www.lpga.com/tournaments/the-annika-driven-by-gainbridge-at-pelican/leaderboard
(Jamie McWilliams is President of VideoStream Productions http://videostreamproductions.com/ and Contributor to Pro Golf Weekly, Member Golf Writers of America, Co-Host/Director The Senior Delinquent www.seniordelinquent.com His email:mcmulti@verizon.net)
