Saturday, September 3rd at Papago Golf Course the community, girls and families gathered to celebrate Girls Golf in a day long extravaganza unlike any other day in the history of Girls Golf. The City of Phoenix helped us in declaring it an official city day!
About 95 girls {ages 5-17} assembled for a FREE morning “These Girls Rock! Clinic” that was hosted by LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix Partners: The First Tee of Phoenix, Vision 54’s Coach, Kristine Reese, and Kay Cornelius. This elite crew of instructors led the girls through a fun workshop engaging them with a lesson centered on Confidence and Empowerment! They ended with goodies from the Girls Golf national team and Donuts from Rainbow Donuts {7th Street Location}.
After the clinic, the real celebration took place and Studio 8 Event Entertainment kept the crowd hyped and girls entertained during this fun social time. The agenda included a vendor expo, press gathering and we all welcomed a special guest.
There were 20 partners/supporters of the Girls Golf of Phoenix bordering our social area that offered discounts on product, special deals, promo and chat time to build brand awareness and golf community support. 2016 Vendors included: PING Golf, LPGA Founders Cup, Train Your Aim, The First Tee of Phoenix, VISION54, Golf for Cause, 2GG Apparel, Junior Golf Association of Arizona, Arizona Women’s Golf Association, Caddy Snax, Ivivva Scottsdale Fashion Square, Arizona Sports Clinic, Just4Golf, Origami Owl by Heather Barclay, Feed My Starving Children, Girls Rule Foundation, Southwest PGA, Topgolf, Get Out Golf and Arizona Golf Association. “I am so grateful to have support from these partners, and the community to help make this day even bigger and better than 2015” says Cori Matheson, Director of Girls Golf of Phoenix.
Our special VIP guest for the day, Hannah O’Sullivan, visited with the crowd. O’Sullivan is the 3rd ranked armature golfer in the world and number ONE in the US! She lives here in AZ and offers a young, vibrant and mature take on making golf fun and dreaming BIG! She was able to chat with us all and present the official City of Phoenix Proclamation for a photo opportunity.
During the day attendees were also offered a huge merchandise sale and asked to participate in Raffle/Silent Auctions making for an excellent fundraising day for this busy non-profit. Some partners/sponsors could not be present for the day but were able to donate towards these fundraising opportunities. These partners/sponsors include: The Phoenix Thunderbirds, Talking Stick Golf Club, TPC Scottsdale, Wildfire Golf Club, Vans Golf Shop, Biion Footwear, Daphne’s Headcovers, Girls Golf, Point Hilton Tapatio Cliffs, Peoria Eye Care and Taylor Jordan Apparel.
The days activates concluded with an afternoon tournament for members of The Girls Golf of Phoenix. 85 Girls hit the links in the BIGGEST individual stroke play tournament round in the history of Girls Golf. Girls ages 3-17 played a challenging course and didn’t let the 104+ heat stop them! Champion and low round winner, Kyla Wilde {age 13}, dominated the course with a two over par round of 74 {5800 yds.}. The tournament girls were fed by local food truck, Burgers Amore and awarded special prizes donated by Just4Golf.
At sunset, the day concluded – a big breath and sigh from the crew at Papago Golf Couse, the 20+ amazing volunteers, the parents and girls. We cleaned up, packed up to conclude the busiest, biggest and BEST day for the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix.
“Thank you Papago Golf Course, OB Sports and The City of Phoenix for helping host this special day. Thank you to the vendors, sponsors and supporters of Girls Golf to support and grow the game! AND THANK YOU to the volunteers that allowed this day to succeed! I am so thankful and overwhelmed with gratitude from another successful Girls Golf Day!” – Cori Matheson, Director, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix.
More information about year-round programing and events with the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix is available online at www.girlsgolfofphoenix.org
