ORLANDO, Fla. -- LPGA Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam will be hosting the ANNIKA Invitational, this weekend, Jan. 16-19, at Ginn Reunion Resort, near Orlando, FL. The ANNIKA Invitational is a 54 hole, stroke play event featuring 60 of top female junior golfers from around the world.
The tournament will be hosted by the ANNIKA Foundation, which is dedicated to providing inspirational experiences, and educational and financial resources that will help children in need to realize their full potential. The Foundation will create and partner with programs that teach the importance of living a healthy active lifestyle through nutrition and physical fitness. In order to implement that message, participants in the ANNIKA Invitational will experience the "off-course" elements of playing collegiate and professional golf such as media training, the importance of health, fitness, and time management. The juniors will also have access to the ANNIKA Academy where they can practice, workout, test the latest equipment from Callaway Golf, or even pick the brains of Annika's own personal coaches.
Because golf has been such an important part of Annika's life, the Foundation will continue to offer experiences and opportunities that enable aspiring junior golfers to pursue their dreams. She attributes much of her success to the values that sports and physical fitness participation fosters: dedication, camaraderie, self esteem, discipline, and fun. By creating the ANNIKA Invitational in conjunction with the AJGA, Annika is hoping to create a one-of-a-kind event that covers those areas, while creating an opportunity for top players to compete against world class competition.
The AJGA is the world's leading junior golf organization and the ANNIKA Foundation will endow an ACE Grant through the ANNIKA Invitational.
About Annika:
Annika is the greatest female golfer of our generation and often regarded as the best player in LPGA history. Her prestigious list of accomplishments includes her 2003 induction into the World Golf and LPGA Halls of Fame, ten Major Championships, 89 worldwide professional victories, eight LPGA Player of the Year Awards, and participation on eight Solheim Cup teams. In June 2008, Annika was named a USGA Ambassador. Annika has worked hard on her off-the-course businesses, which include the ANNIKA Academy, the ANNIKA Foundation, the ANNIKA Collection with Cutter & Buck, ANNIKA Financial Group, a signature headwear line with Gogie Girl, numerous golf course design projects, tournaments she hosts, along with her website and blog. New projects include an ANNIKA fragrance and wine, both launching in May 2009.
