The LPGA Tour is once again bringing the top names in professional golfing to the La Costa Resort and Spa, looking to establish another world-class event in North San Diego County, and making it stick.
The Kia Classic, in only its third year, is making its return to La Costa on March 19-25 after holding its 2011 edition in Los Angeles County while the La Costa Resort and Spa underwent its $50 million renovation.
The 2012 Kia Classic will be held on La Costa's recently renamed Legends Course, which features enhancements to three holes following the renovation.
An early list of players who committed to play in the tournament boasts a who's-who of players planning to tee off for a piece of the $1.7 million purse, among them the tournament's defending champion, Sandra Gal, and Hee Kyung Seo, who won at La Costa in 2010 and the world’s top-ranked player Yani Tseng.
The field also includes 16-year-old Lexi Thompson, who successfully petitioned the LPGA for an exemption to its age requirement, as well as Carlsbad High graduate Leta Lindley and Carlsbad resident Jennifer Johnson.
A group of players in the top 25 of the Rolex Women's World Gold Rankings have also committed, among them Rancho Santa Fe resident I.K. Kim (No. 8), Na Yeon Choi (No. 3), Cristie Kerr (No. 4), Paula Creamer (No. 5), Jiyai Shin (No. 7), Brittany Lincicome (No. 9), Stacy Lewis (No. 10), Ai Miyazato (No. 11), Amy Yang (No. 12), Michelle Wie (No. 18), Catriona Matthew (No. 20), Maria Hjorth (No. 22), Inbee Park (No. 23), Mika Miyazato (No. 24) and So Yeon Ryu (No. 25).
The official field of 144 players won't become official until March 13.
Tournament Director Dennis Bagget said the LPGA is excited about returning to the area for the tournament.
"My goal is to establish the event in the community and be here long-term," said Bagget, a local for 18 years who admits that the LPGA's history in San Diego County has been "inconsistent to say the least," citing a one-year tournament held at Torrey Pines in 2009 that folded and the Kia Classic's move to the Pacific Palms Resort in Industry Hills in its sophomore year.
Bagget said his goal is to create a go-to event that's unique to North County. Such longevity would help the tournament work with sponsors and community partners on longer terms.
He said North County has what it takes to host a big event such as this, one that's, "not just another event in a calendar in San Diego."
Bagget said one of the reasons why La Costa is a perfect place for the tournament is its location.
"It's a place that people like to go to," he said. "From a tourism perspective, the players like it here … It's a great destination spot, one unlike others. Players want to come spend time here and bring their families."
Fans, too, will get the opportunity to rub elbows with the biggest players in the LPGA. These tournaments encourage spectators to interact with the players, creating a more interactive experience. Where else, Bagget notes, would you be able to be on the field with athletes in the middle of a game.
Bagget said the entire community will benefit if the Kia Classic becomes a recurring event.
"If we can establish an annual tournament, we're going to be here in the community and be a part of it, not just roll in every year around the time of the tournament," Bagget said. "We can strengthen our relationship with all local businesses knowing we'll be here."
Bagget said tournament organizers expects the tournament to draw a large percentage of its crowds from Orange County. Some 50,000 spectators are expected, not including the 144 players and their caddies and families as well as about 700 volunteers.
While some measures of the tournament's impact, such as hotel room rentals and meals, are measurable, through an economic impact study that will be conducted, also include "ancillary impact" such as television coverage on the Golf Channel.
"One of the things that having continuity will allow us to do is that we'll be able to tell the story of what we're doing to bring people to the region and have an impact on the local economy," Bagget said.
For more information about the tournament, visit www.KiaClassic.com.
The Kia Classic, in only its third year, is making its return to La Costa on March 19-25 after holding its 2011 edition in Los Angeles County while the La Costa Resort and Spa underwent its $50 million renovation.
The 2012 Kia Classic will be held on La Costa's recently renamed Legends Course, which features enhancements to three holes following the renovation.
An early list of players who committed to play in the tournament boasts a who's-who of players planning to tee off for a piece of the $1.7 million purse, among them the tournament's defending champion, Sandra Gal, and Hee Kyung Seo, who won at La Costa in 2010 and the world’s top-ranked player Yani Tseng.
The field also includes 16-year-old Lexi Thompson, who successfully petitioned the LPGA for an exemption to its age requirement, as well as Carlsbad High graduate Leta Lindley and Carlsbad resident Jennifer Johnson.
A group of players in the top 25 of the Rolex Women's World Gold Rankings have also committed, among them Rancho Santa Fe resident I.K. Kim (No. 8), Na Yeon Choi (No. 3), Cristie Kerr (No. 4), Paula Creamer (No. 5), Jiyai Shin (No. 7), Brittany Lincicome (No. 9), Stacy Lewis (No. 10), Ai Miyazato (No. 11), Amy Yang (No. 12), Michelle Wie (No. 18), Catriona Matthew (No. 20), Maria Hjorth (No. 22), Inbee Park (No. 23), Mika Miyazato (No. 24) and So Yeon Ryu (No. 25).
The official field of 144 players won't become official until March 13.
Tournament Director Dennis Bagget said the LPGA is excited about returning to the area for the tournament.
"My goal is to establish the event in the community and be here long-term," said Bagget, a local for 18 years who admits that the LPGA's history in San Diego County has been "inconsistent to say the least," citing a one-year tournament held at Torrey Pines in 2009 that folded and the Kia Classic's move to the Pacific Palms Resort in Industry Hills in its sophomore year.
Bagget said his goal is to create a go-to event that's unique to North County. Such longevity would help the tournament work with sponsors and community partners on longer terms.
He said North County has what it takes to host a big event such as this, one that's, "not just another event in a calendar in San Diego."
Bagget said one of the reasons why La Costa is a perfect place for the tournament is its location.
"It's a place that people like to go to," he said. "From a tourism perspective, the players like it here … It's a great destination spot, one unlike others. Players want to come spend time here and bring their families."
Fans, too, will get the opportunity to rub elbows with the biggest players in the LPGA. These tournaments encourage spectators to interact with the players, creating a more interactive experience. Where else, Bagget notes, would you be able to be on the field with athletes in the middle of a game.
Bagget said the entire community will benefit if the Kia Classic becomes a recurring event.
"If we can establish an annual tournament, we're going to be here in the community and be a part of it, not just roll in every year around the time of the tournament," Bagget said. "We can strengthen our relationship with all local businesses knowing we'll be here."
Bagget said tournament organizers expects the tournament to draw a large percentage of its crowds from Orange County. Some 50,000 spectators are expected, not including the 144 players and their caddies and families as well as about 700 volunteers.
While some measures of the tournament's impact, such as hotel room rentals and meals, are measurable, through an economic impact study that will be conducted, also include "ancillary impact" such as television coverage on the Golf Channel.
"One of the things that having continuity will allow us to do is that we'll be able to tell the story of what we're doing to bring people to the region and have an impact on the local economy," Bagget said.
For more information about the tournament, visit www.KiaClassic.com.