It’s LPGA Volvik Championship Week In Ann Arbor

The inaugural LPGA Volvik Championship tees off this week at the Travis Pointe Country Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Practice rounds are Tuesday and Wednesday. The tournament begins Thursday and runs through Sunday.

Tickets for grounds access are quite reasonable, at $10 a day for practice rounds; $15 for Thursday or Friday and; $20 each day on  the weekend. A week-long grounds ticket is $60. Kids under 17 are free, as are active and retired Military personnel, thanks to the generosity of DTE. Clubhouse tickets are $120 for the week.

The Volvik Championship is the first professional golf tournament in Southeastern Michigan since the 2009 demise of the Buick Open.

The field includes some of the biggest names in women’s professional golf, including Lydia Ko, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson, Christie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome, Jessica Korda, Angela Stanford, Paula Creamer, Charley Hull, and Michelle Wie.

Also playing, on a sponsor’s exemption, is Saline native Sarah Hoffman.

Travis Pointe is a beautiful course, and should provide lots of competitive fireworks for the LPGA players.

Volvik, the title sponsor, is a South Korean manufacturer of golf balls (and best known for their colored golf balls) that has recently made big inroads into the US market.

I have had a very good time at LPGA events over the years, and the Volvik Championship promises to be just as much fun. I’ll even venture to say that I’ve had more fun at LPGA events than PGA TOUR events. The LPGA events I’ve attended have been very open and friendly, and great places for families to just hang out.

I think we’re lucky in Ann Arbor to have this opportunity. Thanks to Volvik, DTE and the other sponsors for making it possible.