Press Room > Press Release
Forty-six of the Top 50 LPGA Players in the world expected at the Stanford International Pro-Am
3/25/2008
AVENTURA, Fla. -- The field for April’s Stanford International Pro-Am at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Aventura, Fla., keeps getting stronger with 46 of the top 50 LPGA players* in the world expected to play, including eight of the top ten LPGA players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings**. In addition, a sponsor exemption was offered to LPGA rookie Taylor Leon and Monday Qualifying Tournament amateur exemptions were given to Morgan Pressel’s younger sister Madison and Colombian golf sensation Luz Alejandra Cangrejo.
Sponsor exempt player Leon turned professional in June of 2007 and immediately recorded two victories in eight events on the Duramed Futures Tour at the CIGNA Golf Classic and Betty Puskar Golf Classic. She then tied for 20th place at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn non-exempt status for the 2008 LPGA season. Monday exempt invitee 14-year-old Cangrejo has won six junior tournaments in 2007 and is often referred to as the best junior golfer in Colombia. Rounding out the special invites is junior player Madison Pressel who has been tearing up the junior golf circuit and is looking forward to the opportunity to play in the same tournament as her older sister Morgan.
"I am thrilled to have the chance to qualify for the Stanford International Pro-Am. It would be an amazing experience to compete in an LPGA event with my sister," said Madison Pressel.
Madison’s older sister Morgan has the same feelings. “Madison is a very talented young player and I am really proud of her. It would be a thrill to have her in the field and would just add to the great show that my friends at Stanford Financial are going to put on in a few weeks,” said Morgan Pressel.
Leading the list of world-ranked players is the number two player, Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, followed by Norway’s Suzann Pettersen, Boynton Beach’s Karrie Webb, Californians Paula Creamer and Juli Inkster, Miami’s Cristie Kerr and South Koreans Jeong Jang and Mi Hyun Kim. Also joining the local contingent of players is Boca Raton’s Morgan Pressel, Ocean Ridge’s Meg Mallon and Palm Beach Gardens’ Carri Wood. In addition, Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez will be joining the list of players, along with Natalie Gulbis who finished second at last year’s ADT Championship in West Palm Beach.
The Stanford International Pro-Am, a new 72-hole LPGA-sanctioned event title sponsored by Stanford Financial Group, will be played April 21-27, on the Soffer and Miller Courses at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Aventura, Fla. The Stanford International Pro-Am is the first professional-amateur tournament on the LPGA schedule since 2001. The tournament will partner 112 LPGA Professionals with 112 amateurs in a 54-hole stroke play tournament. After 36 holes of competition, there will be a cut to the low 70 professionals and the low 20 teams. The team competition will end on Saturday, and on Sunday, the professionals will vie for the $300,000 winner’s share of the $2,000,000 purse.
For more information on tickets or volunteer opportunities visit www.stanfordinternationalproam.com or contact the Tournament Office at (786) 279-6750.
About Stanford Financial Group
Stanford Financial Group is a privately held global network of independent, affiliated financial services companies led by Chairman and CEO Sir Allen Stanford. The first Stanford company was founded by his grandfather, Lodis B. Stanford in 1932. Stanford’s core businesses are private wealth management and investment banking for institutions and emerging growth companies.
The Stanford Financial Group of companies provides private and institutional investors with global expertise in asset allocation strategies, investment advisory services, award-winning policy and equity research, international private banking and trust administration, commercial banking, investment banking, merchant banking, institutional sales and trading, real estate investment and insurance. Stanford has over $43 billion in assets under management or advisement. Stanford Financial has made it a priority to invest in the communities in which it operates across the globe through signature corporate philanthropy initiatives with nonprofit organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and countless local and national charities that strengthen communities.
Securities products and services are offered in the United States through Stanford Group Company, member FINRA/SIPC. Stanford Financial Group is not a legal entity, but a registered trademark that encompasses the global network of independent, but affiliated, privately held and wholly owned entities. More information can be found at www.stanfordfinancial.com.
About the Ladies Professional Golf Association
As the longest-running women’s professional sports organization in the world, the LPGA features a membership comprised of world-class LPGA Tour professionals and dedicated Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP). Today’s LPGA Tour features the most talented global sampling of professional athletes competing in 35 events on six continents with total prize money of more than $60 million. In addition to its dynamic Tour members, nearly 1,200 certified T&CP members serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions, and oversee programs aimed at increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf. The not-for-profit LPGA’s Vision is to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the best golf professionals in the world. Its Mission is to be a leader in the world of sports, to promote economic empowerment for all members, and to serve as role models on and off the course. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.
About Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club
The legendary Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club recently put the final touches on its $100 million transformation. Located in the heart of Aventura (Miami,) Fla. on 300 tropical acres, the luxurious Mediterranean-style retreat is managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and features 392 deluxe guest rooms and suites, world-class golf and tennis facilities, an exclusive award-winning Willow Stream Spa, stellar dining options, a supervised kids program and private Ocean Club. The resort has received numerous accolades including a spot on Travel + Leisure's coveted 2008 "World's Best" list and the Mobil Four Star Award. For more information about The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club or for reservations, please call (800) 441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com/turnberryisle
Fairmont is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with over 80 hotels worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands.The company also owns Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties.
* 46 of the top 50 on the final 2007 LPGA Official Money List
** Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings as of March 10
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