Southern Indiana Business Report
JASPER — The Legends of the LPGA makes its way to the Hoosier State for the Senior LPGA Championship from June 29-July 1. The event will be contested at Sultan’s Run Golf Club, the first time this venue has ever hosted an LPGA event.
The field of 74 will compete for a total purse of $400,000 and a winner’s share of $60,000, in a 54-hole stroke-play format, with no cut.
“There is a buzz in the local community and the broader region. The volunteer support and financial support has been strong, indicating significant interest and pride in hosting the Senior LPGA Championship,” said Tournament Director, Chris Tretter. “The founders of Sultan’s Run had the vision of creating a regional golf destination. Over the last dozen years, we have made significant investments in the course and amenities, with more to come, to deliver a premium experience for our guests. We feel we have created a situation worthy of a professional golf tournament and we are thrilled that it is a Major Championship.”
Two-time LPGA Tour Player of the Year and 2022 Senior LPGA Championship winner, Karrie Webb returns to defend her title after an exciting victory against long-time competitor, Annika Sorenstam. The win marked Webb’s first on the Legends of the LPGA.
“I’m excited to head to Sultan’s Run at the end of June to defend the Senior LPGA Championship,” said Webb. “A new course always presents new challenges, but it will for everyone. I look forward to catching up with some old friends and enjoying the hospitality of the members at Sultan’s Run and the people of Jasper, Indiana. Also, I hope that there will be some good golf in store for me as well.”
Dana Ebster will join the field of 74 courtesy of a sponsor’s invitation, with one additional sponsor invite to be added to the field at a later date. A local qualifying round will take place on Monday, June 26 and the top two finishers will round out the field.
Other notable players in the field include 2022’s second runner-up, Laura Diaz and past champion, Trish Johnson. World Golf Hall of Fame members, Juli Inkster and Hollis Stacy will be competing for the $60,000 check, as well as Major Champions Liselotte Neumann and Angela Stanford, who will be making her tournament debut.
Tickets are available for purchase at www.sultansrun.com/2023-senior-lpga-championship. One-day tickets are $15 with a 3-day ticket package available for $40.
ABOUT SULTAN’S RUN GOLF CLUB
Sultan’s Run is a premium, perennial award-winning, daily fee golf course located in Jasper, Indiana. Now in its 31st year of operation, Sultan’s Run was built on land purchased from Ruxer Farms, where legendary World Champion American Saddlebred Supreme Sultan roamed. Each of the holes at Sultan’s Run is named for one of Supreme Sultan’s World Champion offspring, except hole 18 which is named after the legend himself. This beautiful hole, which features a waterfall on a natural stone outcropping, is widely known as the “most dramatic signature hole in Indiana.”
The playing surface of this championship-caliber course consists of Zoysia tees, fairways and green surrounds and USGA Bentgrass greens. The rolling woodlands with significant slopes and elevation changes and undulating greens provide for a wonderful and challenging experience noted by a championship tee rating and slope of 74.1 and 140 respectively.
ABOUT LEGENDS OF THE LPGA
Legends of the LPGA is the official senior tour of the LPGA providing competitive opportunities for LPGA Tour professionals and eligible amateurs, age 45 and over. The tour was founded in 2000 by 25 veteran LPGA Tour professionals with a goal of showcasing the talents of some of the greatest women golfers of all time. Legends of the LPGA members, including 17 LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame members, have combined for over 750 LPGA Tour victories including 84 major championships. Legends of the LPGA has helped raise approximately $28 million for charity.