A panoramic view of the putting green at Travis Pointe
In spite of a lightning delay on Saturday and hot temperatures on Sunday, the LPGA Volvik Championship offered Ann Arbor a fun weekend of competition and community.
The competition speaks for itself. The tournament came down to the final hole, with Minjee Lee needing a birdie for the win. A great drive, a tricky approach, a chip and a putt, and she had the victory. From start to finish, there was outstanding play by a group of outstanding golfers.
That was not the end of the story — or even most of the story, however. At their best, golf tournaments ultimately are more than just an athletic competition. Professional golf tournaments run by the LPGA are week-long benefits for local charities. Pro-am raise money by selling playing spots. During the tournament week, various organizations also generally have the opportunity to make their case to the ticket holders. Local businesses, eager to be associated with the world’s best players, add to the charity coffers.
The LPGA Volvik Championship donated $225,000 to the Congenital Heart Center at the University of Michigan’ C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital this year. Lewis Jewelers, a local store, raised an additional $1,500. There likely were many more I don’t know about.
In addition to functioning as a charitable organization, golf tournaments also are community events. Large numbers of volunteers donate their time to make the event possible. There is financially no way a tournament could function without its volunteers. Local businesses get involved, sponsoring holes, feeding the volunteers and media, providing transportation for players and caddies, setting up activity areas, handling recycling, running special events and more. Local media get involved, with live broadcasts, taking photos and writing stories about the event.
In all, the LPGA Volvik Championship had 500+ volunteers, and 95 business and charitable partners. A list of the Volvik LPGA Partners is after the pictures:
Last, but not least are the spectators, who in their desire to see an athletic competition, knowingly or unknowingly contribute to the well-being of their community.
Jodi Ewart ShadoffJodi Ewart Shadoff tess off on the 18th. In the background you can see the viewing boxes for the par 3 16th green. Immediately behind her is a reminder of the charitable giving for the tournament: The Congenital Heart Center at the University of Michigan’s Mott Children’s Hospital.
Brooke HendersonBrooke Henderson signs autographs. The ladies are incredibly friendly towards the fans — and especially the kids. Just another reason why an LPGA tournament is a great family experience.
From The Titos GrandstandA view from the Titos Grandstand. For the second year, Titos, an Austin-based vodka makers, sponsored a grandstand overlooking the 18th that was free to all ticket holders. If Ann Arbor has sister cities, one of them has to be Austin. Both are home to their state’s namesake universities, both have outstanding food, drink and music. And both are more than a little bit weird.
I love Austin. And Ann Arbor.
Golf Channel Booth At the Volvik ChampionshipThe Golf Channel Booth at the Volvik sat across a pond from the 19th green, and was adjacent to the 17th tee.
Flags At the LPGA Volvik ChampionshipThe flags of a score of nations were on display at the LPGA Volvik Championship, highlighting the truly international nature of the LPGA Tour.
Navy personnel tending the flag on the 9thThe ninth hole at the LPGA Volvik Championship had a pavilion set aside for veterans and current armed services personnel and their families. The flagstick, adorned with the stars and stripes, was tended by Navy personnel.
Lewis Jewelers Long Putt For Charity ContestAnn Arbor’s Lewis Jewelers ran a putting contest to benefit the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan. It is an example of the community spirit at the tournament.
Sara Jane Smith 3880Sarah Jane Smith practices on one of the putting greens at Travis Pointe. As a Dr. Who fan, I just had to get a picture of here. I am sure she is tired of being reminded of the character from the show. I would be.
Asking For A RulingStacy Lewis’ ball came to rest near a sprinkler head, and a tour rules official takes note. Ultimately, Lewis got a club-length’s relief.
The LPGA Volvik Championship Trophy by Motawi TileworksThe LPGA Volvik Championship Trophy by Motawi Tileworks. The tile is a foot square and weights ten pounds. The circles represent Volvik’s colored balls.
The list of Volvik LPGA Partners follows, in alphabetical order:
18 Birdies
A-1 Rental
AAA
Absopure
Adams Outdoor
Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber
Ann Arbor Observer
Ann Arbor SPARK
Ann Arbor Sports Commission
Applied Imaging
Automotive News
Bearclaw Coffee Company
Bell’s Brewery, Inc.
Brendan Vacations
Brewer’s, Inc. / Sakstrup’s Towing, Inc.
Bruegger’s Bagels
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Congenital Heart Center
Carl’s Golfland
Chinese Golf Association of Michigan
Classic Sports Catering
Comcast Business
Consumer Cellular
Corrigan Oil Co.
Crain’s Detroit Business
Destination Ann Arbor
DTE Energy Foundation
Eagle Crest Golf Club
Eastern Michigan University
Eisenhower Center
Faygo
FGS, Inc.
The First Tee of Greater Detroit
FOX Sports Detroit
Frisbie Moving & Storage
Global Golf Management
Godaiko
Golf Association of Michigan
Golf Channel
Huntington
Huron Valley Ambulance
Hyatt Place Ann Arbor
INFINITI
ITC Holdings Corp.
Kiwanis Club of Saline
Knight’s Catering
Koch & White Heating and Cooling
Ladies Professional Golf Association
Lake Trust Credit Union
Leslie Park Golf Course
Lewis Jewelers
LPGA Women Who Play
The M Den
Michigan Lottery
Michigan Women’s Golf Association
Miles of Golf
MillerCoors
Motawi Tileworks
The Moveable Feast Catering
Moving Day for MS
Mr. Spots
NAWBO
NSF International
O & W, Inc.
OUTFRONT Media Inc.
Pace Custom Printing
PIDC
Prairie Farms
Prestige Authentics
Profile by Sanford
Red Arrow Partnerships
Rolex
Ruoff Home Mortgage
Russell Video
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Schupan Recycling
Selfridge Air National Guard Base
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
Stonebridge Golf Club
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Travis Pointe Country Club
U.S. Ice
United Dairy Industry of Michigan
University of Michigan
Vertiv
Volvik
Wacker Chemical Corporation
Washtenaw Dairy
Washtenaw Farm Council
Weber’s Inn
Williamsburg Hospitality
WJR
Wolverines for Life
WTKA
XL Catlin
Zippy Auto Wash
