CARLSBAD, Calif. -- The Kia Classic presented by J Golf has partnered with Walgreens stores throughout San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties to offer fans the opportunity to purchase tickets for the inaugural event at all stores within 50 miles of the tournament's host course, La Costa Resort and Spa.
The $1.7 million Kia Classic presented by J Golf, to be held March 22-28, is a full-field, 144-player event that will bring the best names in women's golf to La Costa for the LPGA's first 2010 event in the United States. Mexican superstar and Rolex Rankings No. 1 Lorena Ochoa, Michelle Wie, Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Jiyai Shin, American No. 1 Cristie Kerr and young American stars Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lincicome have already committed to the play in the tournament.
The early commitments list features every player from the top 50 on last year's money list and 40 of the top 50 players in the current Rolex Rankings, including the top 14.
"We're excited about our ticketing partnership with Walgreens," Tournament Director Jim Felechner said. "As a first-year tournament in San Diego, we feel that this is a great way to increase our visibility while also providing golf fans with a convenient way to purchase tickets for our event."
The partnership between Walgreens and the Kia Classic presented by J Golf includes 40 stores, in the San Diego County cities of Chula Vista, El Cajon, El Centro, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, Lakeside, National City, Oceanside, San Diego, Santee and Vista; the Riverside County cities of Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Murrieta and Sun City; and the Orange County cities of Aliso Viejo, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita.
Golf fans will have a variety of ticket options available to them at local Walgreens stores:
· One-day Practice Grounds Passes - $10 - Allows access to golf course and all public areas such as bleachers, concession stands and restrooms for any one day Monday March 22 (practice rounds), Tuesday March 23 (practice rounds) or Wednesday March 24 (Pro-Am event).
· One-day Competition Round Passes - $20 - Allows access to golf course and all public areas such as bleachers, concession stands and restrooms for any one day of competitive play Thursday, March 25-Sunday, March 28.
· Weekly Grounds Passes - $65 - Allows access to golf course and all public areas such as bleachers, concession stands and restrooms for each day of tournament week, Monday, March 22-Sunday, March 28.
· Weekly Clubhouse Passes - $125 - Allows access to grounds as well as exclusive hospitality area with on-course viewing, televisions and a pay as you go menu in the La Costa Resort Clubhouse for each day of tournament week, Monday, March 22-Sunday, March 28.
Information on the tournament is available at www.lpgalacosta.com or by calling tournament coordinator Danielle Genet at 760-579-7365.
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.
