Creamer and Pressel commit to join the field in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., 2016-May-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Officials announced today that two of the biggest names in ladies golf have committed to play in the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give. Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel – both of whom have multiple LPGA Tour victories under their belts – will compete alongside 142 of the other best lady golfers in the world June 14-19 at Blythefield Country Club.

“With Paula and Morgan – two LPGA tour favorites – committing to play, our third-year field is off to a fantastic start,” Tournament Director Lesley Baker said. “Both players have gone above and beyond to support the tournament and Simply Give, and we couldn’t be happier to host them here in Grand Rapids.”

In its third year, representatives with Meijer continue to invest in the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, ensuring West Michigan is a staple on the LPGA Tour. The retailer’s tournament has a purse of $2 million, and has expanded tournament-week activities and events for families.

Additionally, the retailer produced a television advertisement, featuring both Creamer and Pressel, to promote the tournament at Blythefield Country Club.

“We welcomed the opportunity to work with these talented athletes to promote the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give,” said Peter Whitsett, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing for Meijer. “Their continued commitment to our tournament, and its cause to feed the hungry across the Midwest, will not only drive community engagement, but lead the way for a talent-packed field.”

Paula Creamer

Paula has a total of 11 career wins, including the 2010 Women’s U.S. Open. She has 99 career Top Ten finishes, and is a five-time member of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team. Paula enjoys visiting U.S. military bases around the world and spending time with the armed forces and their families.

Morgan Pressel

Morgan Pressel is a five-time U.S. Solheim Cup Team member, and had Top Five finishes in each of her first three majors in 2015. She placed 1st at the ANA Inspiration Major in 2007 and 2nd at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2011. She established The Kathryn Krickstein Pressel MammoVan in South Florida to provide mammograms and breast health education, and each year hosts the Morgan & Friends Fight Cancer charity tournament.

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 a video 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

###

Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel to play in the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, June 14-19 at Blythefield Country Club