Third-year event looking for tournament volunteers
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., 2016-Mar-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — Entering its third year, the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give has grown into one of the premier events on the LPGA Tour, and organizers expect it to continue growing this year. Registration is now open to welcome volunteers from across Michigan and the Midwest to the 2016 event, which will be held June 14-19 at Blythefield Country Club.
“This community has embraced our event, and we look forward to continued growth and development each and every year,” Meijer Co-Chairman Doug Meijer said. “We could not continue to bring such a world-class event to the community without tremendous support from our volunteers and tournament staff.”
The Meijer LPGA Classic will need more than 700 volunteers, ranging in responsibilities from marshals and standard bearers to transportation and assisting the media. Volunteers can indicate their top three choices, and will be assigned to a committee on a first-come, first-served basis.
The volunteer fee of $55 includes two official tournament golf shirts, one official tournament hat, one volunteer badge valid as a grounds pass and parking for tournament week, four weekly grounds passes for friends or family, one ticket to the volunteer appreciation party, and meals and beverages during scheduled shifts.
“You don’t need to know golf to volunteer – anyone can contribute, all while experiencing an LPGA Tour event featuring some of the best women golfers in the world,” Tournament Director Lesley Baker said.
Meijer is committed to making West Michigan a staple on the LPGA Tour, increasing the purse to $2 million, while expanding the tournament-week events and activities.
The 2016 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give will host a full field of 144 players, playing 72 holes of stroke play over four days of competition. The driving mission of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give is to focus on feeding the hungry, and improving the quality of life within the region. The tournament coincides with the retailer’s Simply Giveprogram, which has generated more than $21 million since 2008 for food pantries in the communities it serves.
Similar to last year, proceeds from the tournament – and each of the week’s festivities – will benefit the Meijer Simply Give program that restocks the shelves of food pantries throughout the Midwest. The Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give has donated more than $1.3 Million to local food pantries through the Simply Give program.
For more information on the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give or to volunteer, please visit meijerLPGAclassic.com.
To view a video recapping the 2015 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, please visit meijerLPGAclassic.com, and avideo on the Meijer hunger relief efforts, including Simply Give, please visit http://newsroom.meijer.com/meijer-simply-give-video.
About Meijer Simply Give:
Meijer is a family-owned retailer based in Grand Rapids, Mich. with a fundamental philosophy aimed at strengthening the communities it serves. Meijer operates 223 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin, and proudly donates more than 6 percent of its net profit each year to charities throughout the Midwest. With hunger as a corporate philanthropic focus, Meijer partners with hundreds of food banks and pantries through its Simply Give and food rescue programs. Meijer also supports education, disaster relief, and health and wellness initiatives. For additional information on Meijer philanthropy, please visit www.meijercommunity.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.
About Blythefield Country Club:
Located just north of Grand Rapids, Blythefield has been providing families the best golf and social experience in West Michigan since 1928. With the Rogue River flowing through, Blythefield boasts one of the most beautiful championship layouts in Michigan. Previously, Blythefield has hosted the 1953 Western Amateur, the 1961 Western Open, won by Arnold Palmer, and the 2005 Western Junior won by Rickie Fowler. Beginning in 2014 Blythefield is honored to host the Meijer LPGA Classic. Learn more about Blythefield Country Club at www.blythefieldcc.org.
About the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association):
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 members representing more than 30 different countries. With a Vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The Symetra Tour consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via: www.LPGA.com, www.facebook.com/LPGA, www.twitter.com/lpga, and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo.
About Octagon Global Events:
Octagon Global Events is a division of Octagon, the world’s largest sports and entertainment representation and marketing agency. Octagon Global Events focuses on premium event/property management, providing strategic corporate solutions. The division currently manages two Champions Tour events, two LPGA Tour events and the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. For more information, visit http://www.octagonglobalevents.com.
Contact:
Lesley Baker, Tournament Director, Octagon, Lesley.Baker@octagon.com, 616-426-6225 or Christina Fecher, Public Relations Manager, Meijer, Christina.Fecher@meijer.com, 616-735-7968