There will no rest this week for the women of the LPGA Tour as they fly directly from Manchester, England to Toledo, Ohio for the Marathon Classic.
After a pressure filled week of major championship golf at Royal Birkdale the LPGA Tour moves to Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio.
The Marathon Classic has been a regular stop on the LPGA Tour since 1984 and past winners include some of the biggest names in the women’s game.
Se Ri Pak won here five times. Dame Laura Davies, Patty Sheehan, Annika Sorenstam, Meg Mallon and Paula Creamer have all hoisted the Marathon Classic trophy.
The field of 144 women will compete for the first-place check of $210,000 from the total purse of $1.4 million.
Ricoh Women’s British Open winner, Mo Martin is scheduled to be at the Marathon Classic and will try to collect her second consecutive LPGA Tour victory this week.
2013 Marathon Classic champion Beatriz Recari will defend her title and is coming off a T-17 finish at the Ricoh Women’s British Open last week.
World No. 1, Stacy Lewis was born in Toledo and is always a hometown favorite. Michelle Wie, Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, Morgan Pressel, Azahara Munoz, Brittany Lincicome, Suzann Pettersen and Cristie Kerr have all committed to be in the field, as well as, past champions, Se Ri Pak, Paula Creamer, So Yeon Ryu and Na Yeon Choi.
Highland Meadows is not overly long for the ladies but its rolling tree-lined fairways demand accuracy off the tee. Its deep bunkers and undulating greens require a deft touch and imagination to earn a well-deserved birdie or par. It should be no surprise that several of the past champions at the Marathon Classic have gone on to win major championships.
Over its history the Marathon Classic (formerly Jamie Farr Toledo Classic) has donated over $8.1 million to northwest Ohio and southeastern Michigan children’s charities and annually provides a big boost to the Toledo economy.
An LPGA Tour tournament is a big deal for small market sports towns such as; Toledo, Grand Rapids Michigan and Fayetteville, Arkansas.
LPGA Tour players understand the importance of each and every fan and are the most approachable professional athletes in the world.
The LPGA continues to bring a high-quality sporting event to every town it visits and helps to raise millions for local charities.