CARLSBAD, Calif. -- The Kia Classic Presented by J Golf announced that it has joined the world of social media by launching a Facebook fan page. Facebook users can become a fan of the page by visiting www.Facebook.com/KiaClassicPresentedByJGolf or by signing on to Facebook and searching for "Kia Classic Presented by J Golf."
The $1.7 million Kia Classic Presented by J Golf, to be held March 22-28 at La Costa Resort and Spa, is a full-field, 144-player event that will bring the best names in women's golf to San Diego for the LPGA's first 2010 event in the United States. Tickets are available at www.lpgalacosta.com or by calling 1-888-SEE-LPGA.
The tournament's Facebook fan site features a complete list of players committed to the tournament, player photos, La Costa Resort and Spa golf course photos, a daily schedule for tournament week and much more. As tournament week approaches, the Facebook fan page will be the best place to get up-to-the-minute information on the Kia Classic Presented by J Golf, including tee times, results, interviews, updates on play and behind-the-scenes photos.
In addition, the tournament's Facebook page will offer contests with prizes every day between Feb. 22 and the start of tournament week. Prizes include tickets, clubhouse badges, LPGA logoed hats, shirts, golf balls and ball mark repair kits, and Kia T-shirts featuring the characters from the company's popular "Joy Ride" advertising campaign.
The contests start Feb. 22. As the LPGA season kicks off and Rolex Rankings No. 1 Lorena Ochoa aims for her 28th career victory, the Kia Classic Presented by J Golf's Facebook page will feature a 28-day "Where in San Diego is Lorena Ochoa?" contest, running through Sunday, March 21 (the day before tournament week kicks off). Each day at a random time, a photo will be posted to the Facebook page of Lorena Ochoa (which will actually be a cardboard cutout of Ochoa) at a recognizable San Diego County landmark. The first person to post a comment guessing her location correctly will win a four pack of good-any-day grounds passes to the Kia Classic Presented by J Golf. Complete rules are posted on the Facebook page.
Additional contests will be held sporadically leading up to tournament week.
For available volunteer opportunities, details on corporate sponsorship and the official Kia Classic Presented by J Golf Pro-Am, as well as all other tournament information, log on to www.lpgalacosta.com or call tournament coordinator Danielle Genet in the tournament office at (760) 579-7365.
The Kia Classic Presented by J Golf will continue a long tradition of professional women's golf in San Diego, beginning in 1953 with the San Diego Open. Most recently, Na Yeon Choi became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2009 Samsung World Championship. In the 55 years between, San Diego tournament winners have included the likes of LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame members Louise Suggs, Mickey Wright, Betsy Rawls and many other prominent LPGA stars.
La Costa Resort and Spa will host an official LPGA event for the first time when it welcomes the Kia Classic Presented by J Golf, though the majestic coastal resort is no stranger to professional tournaments. La Costa most recently hosted the PGA TOUR's World Golf Championships (WGC) Accenture Match Play Championship (1999-2006). Its longest-running tournament brought the PGA TOUR's best to La Costa from 1969-1998, first as the Tournament of Champions and later as the Mercedes Championship. It also hosted the CBS Golf Classic in 1965, and was home to the Haig Scotch Mixed Foursome Championship from 1965-67.
About the Kia Product Line
Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand's continued gains in U.S. market share. The vehicle line features the stylish Forte compact sedan and all-new two-door Forte Koup, the highly personalizable Soul, functional Rondo CUV, award-winning Sedona minivan, purposeful Optima midsize sedan and versatile yet fuel-efficient Rio and Rio5 subcompacts. The launch of the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG)1, Kia's first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, further enhances the lineup.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 670 dealers throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share and recently achieved its best quarter of sales ever. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise." Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site - www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
1 KMMG vehicles are built with U.S. and globally sourced parts.
About J Golf
J Golf is a 24-hour cable & satellite golf channel covering various golf tours such as the LPGA Tour (beginning in 2010), KLPGA Tour, European Tour, Ladies European Tour, JGTO and the JLPGA tour. Since its first launching in January 2005, J Golf has also been airing instructional programs not only for beginners but also advanced golfers. In addition, J Golf offers golfing event programs and golf news coverage from around the globe. J Golf is the first golf channel in the world to create original HD content programs. The proudest achievement in J Golf history is the contract signed in early 2009 to broadcast the LPGA Tour for five years, beginning in 2010. In Korea, J Golf has almost completed deals on airing the LPGA Tour, the most prestigious female golf tour in the world, with all types of TV platforms including terrestrial TV, cable TV, satellite TV, IP-TV, Digital Mobile Broadcasting and VOD. With J Golf, watching golf becomes as much fun as playing golf.
About the Ladies Professional Golf Association
The LPGA was founded in 1950 and today boasts a membership comprised of world-class LPGA Tour professionals and more than 1,300 dedicated Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP). Players on the LPGA Tour, who represent more than 25 countries, compete globally showcasing the very best of women's professional golf. LPGA T&CP members directly impact the growth of the game through teaching, coaching and management positions, and oversee programs aimed at increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf. The 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 La Costa Resort and Spa
Nestled among the beautiful coastal foothills of Carlsbad, Calif., north of San Diego, La Costa Resort and Spa boasts the 43,000 square-foot Spa at La Costa, 610 spacious and well-appointed guestrooms, suites and villas, a Clubhouse with a fitness center, two acclaimed restaurants - Legends and BlueFire Grill and two championship golf courses. The entire resort, linked by walkways and washed in color by lush vegetation and gardens, enjoys a village-like ambience. For more information on La Costa Resort and Spa, call (800) 854-5000 or visit www.lacosta.com.
About KSL Resorts
Founded in 1992, KSL Resorts manages seven time-honored resorts with outstanding recreational amenities, including spa, golf, tennis and ski. Each is refined yet unpretentious, rich in legacy, and genuine in service. The KSL Resorts are:
• Hotel del Coronado (San Diego)
• Beach Village at The Del (San Diego)
• La Costa Resort and Spa (Carlsbad, Calif.)
• Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa (Rancho Mirage, Calif.)
• Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa (Vail, Colo.)
• Barton Creek Resort & Spa (Austin, Texas)
• The Homestead (Hot Springs, Va.)
For more information, call 1-866-KSL-7727 or visit KSLResorts.com.
