Game On!
The LPGA Is On The Course It is an exciting time for the LPGA and the Coachella Valley as All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s leading airline, is now the title sponsor of the first major of the LPGA season. The newly-named ANA INSPIRATION is going on right now, with the official tournament play beginning on April 2, at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, home of the event since 1972.
in all of golf we are embarking on a new journey that has the potential to inspire golfers worldwide. Together ANA and the LPGA can see that leaderboards are becoming truly global which creates exciting new opportunities that both organizations are ready to seize.” While the event will take on a new name, the history and tradition of the LPGA’s first major of the season will remain. ANA, the LPGA and IMG are committed to celebrating the tournament’s heritage as players will continue to compete for the Dinah Shore Trophy on the Dinah Shore Championship course at Mission Hills.
ANA, which operates 72 international routes and 13 daily flights between North America and Japan, was also named the Official Airline of the LPGA. This perfectly suited partnership ensures a bright future for the historic tournament, where the winner annually jumps into Poppie’s Pond next to the 18th green before donning the Champion’s Robe. The longterm agreement between the LPGA, IMG and ANA begins in 2015 with an increase in the years enabling the total purse to tournament purse to $2.5 mil- reach $3 million. lion. Additional increases are scheduled over the first four Yuji Hirako, Senior Vice Presi-
“This partnership not only elevates one of the game’s greatest championships but also ensures that a major LPGA tradition will continue to grow and reach new heights,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan.
dent of the Americas, ANA explains, “In partnering with the LPGA and one of the most im- continued on page 15 portant major championships
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