LPGA back for Manulife LPGA Classic this week
Posted Aug 29, 2016 05:00:37 AM.
Last Updated Aug 26, 2016 10:05:34 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Brittany Lang says it feels like home playing in the Manulife LPGA Classic.
The 31-year-old American was the first ever champ at the tournament four years ago, it was also her first victory on the LPGA.
Round 1 of the 2016 tournament gets going at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge on Thursday morning.
“The fans are so nice, the Canadian people are so nice and Manulife does such a great job with the event,” Lang told 570 News in a recent interview.
She enters the tournament with some momentum as well. In July, Lang won the U.S. Open.
Other big names in the field this year include 2015 champ Suzann Pettersen, Stacy Lewis, Lydia Ko (won silver at Rio Olympics), as well as Canadians Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp. All five participated in the recent Olympics.
Michelle Wie, Brittany Lincicome and Cheyenne Woods also announced back in July they would be returning to Whistle Bear.
Manulife LPGA Classic Tournament Director Milaina Wright tells 570 News they are expecting big crowds again as ticket sales are ahead of where they were in 2015. Over 60,000 people attended the tournament last year.
“…This year is really special for us, with golf being in the Olympics, we’re expecting 29 Olympians to be on site.”
The St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation also returns as the official charity partner of the event.
$1.2 million has been raised so far, which is helping to establish a heart rhythm program at St. Mary’s.
On Friday, fans are encouraged to wear red to the course for Red Day, it’s to raise awareness for women’s health issues. It’s also expanding to offices throughout the region this year, including Manulife, Google and Communitech.