Volvik Championship Fan Guide

What Is The Volvik Championship?

The Volvik Championship is the newest tournament for the LPGA tour. It will be held May 23 – 29 at Travis Pointe Country Club in Ann Arbor.

Michigan is fast becoming a center of women’s professional golf. With the Volvik Championship and Meijer Classic on the LGPA TOUR, and the Tullymore Classic, the Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship and the Island Resort Championship on the Symetra Tour, Michigan now has five professional women’s golf tournaments.

What Is Volvik?

Volvik is a South Korean manufacturer of golf balls. The company is most recognizable for its brightly colored balls. The company has been around for 35 years.

Volvik launched in the United States in January 2013, and has become the fastest growing golf ball manufacturer in the US market. Volvok comes from the Italian Volare, which means “to fly.”

 

Who Is Playing At The Volvik Championship?

The Volvik Championship features some of the top ranked professional women’s golfers. Ten of the top twelve in the world will make their appearance, including #1 Lydia Ko. Other household names at the tournament include  Michele Wie, Lexi Thompson, Paula Creamer, Inbee Park, Christie Kerr and Brittany Lincicome. A total of 144 golfers will tee off on Thursday.

In the field as a sponsor’s exemption is Saline native Sarah Hoffman.

 

What Is The Volvik Championship Tournament Schedule?

TUESDAY, MAY 24

• Gates open to the public at 8 a.m.
• LPGA Practice Rounds All Day

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25

• Wednesday is pro-am day. The event pairs professional golfers with local amateurs. Each foursome will include one pro for the front nine, and a different pro on the back nine.
• Gates open to the public at 7 a.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 16

• First day of competition
• Gates open to the public at 7 a.m.
• The first tee times are scheduled for 7:30 am.
• DTE Military Pavilion (9th Green) All Day

FRIDAY, MAY 27

• Second day of competition
• Gates open to the public at 7 a.m.
• The first tee times are scheduled for 7:30 .am.
• DTE Military Pavilion (9th Green) All Day

SATURDAY, MAY 28

• Third day of competition
• Cuts are made following the second round
• Gates open to the public at 7 a.m.
• The first tee times are scheduled for 8:00 a.m.
• Saturday is “Orange Out For ChadTough” day. Special tickets for that day will be sold to raise funds for the ChadTough Foundation, which supports pediatric brain tumor research. Chad Carr, who lost his fight with a pediatric brain tumor, is the grandson of legendary University of Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr.

SUNDAY, MAY 29

• Fourth and final day of competition.
• Sunday’s final round begins with a ceremony at 8 a.m.
• The trophy presentation likely will occur around 6 p.m.
• Gates open to the public at 7 a.m.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Attend The Volvik Championship?

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.

You can purchase tickets in advance, but the fact of the matter is that there should be plenty for walk-up purchases.

 

Where Do I Park At The Volvik Championship?

The Washtenaw Farm Council Fairgrounds are just around the corner from the tournament, and free shuttles will quickly take you from your car to the gates. Parking is $5 a day or $15 for the week.

The Fairgrounds are at 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road.

 

What Can I Bring To The Volvik Championship?

In this age of heightened security, there is of course a list of permitted and banned items.

Thing you CAN bring:

• Umbrellas without sleeve
• Opaque bags not exceeding 6×6
• Clear plastic, vinyl or other carry items not exceeding 12x6x12
• Phones, tablets, and PDAs – MUST be on Silent mode and adhere to LPGA Tour’s  Mobile Device Policy
• Still camera with lens smaller than 6 inches; no camera case (Monday-Wednesday)
• Collapsible chairs, without chair bags
• Medically necessary supplies, strollers, small diaper bags, plastic baby bottles, and other necessary baby supplies (infant must be with carrier) – items subject to search
• Binoculars without binocular case

There’s also a fairly substantial list of things you can’t bring here.

 

What About Cell Phones At The Volvik Championship?

You can bring your cell phone, but they need to be on silent, and photography (video or still) is prohibited during playing rounds. The players are out there trying to make a living, and it would be a terrible thing if an annoying person with a cell phone affected the outcome of the event.

You can make phone calls in designated areas.

 

Is There Anything To Eat And Drink?

Concessions will be available at several locations on site. It has been my experience that food at LPGA events is relatively reasonably priced.

 

Can You Get Autographs At The Volvik Championship?

Yes. Perhaps. At some times and places.

LPGA players are quite friendly, but under no circumstances should autograph seekers bother them during a competitive round. The tournament is, after all, their “office.” Following rounds, however, players are often available.

 

Where Can You Watch The Volvik Championship If You Can’t Get To Ann Arbor?

Thursday and Friday: Replays of the round begin at 7 p.m. on Golf Channel.

Saturday and Sunday: Golf Channel will have live coverage from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.