LPGA TOUR AND PGA TOUR EXEMPTIONS ON THE LINE IN UNIQUE COLLEGE EVENT
In conjunction with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Atlantis, Paradise Island resort and Golf Channel, Global Golf Management is proud to introduce The Bahamas White Sands Golf Series hosted by Atlantis, a year-long collection of events in The Bahamas intended to promote the game and provide playing opportunities for LPGA Tour players, collegiate golfers and everyday golf enthusiasts.
The Bahamas White Sands Series replaces the highly successful Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic that enjoyed a six-year run at Atlantis, Paradise Island’s Tom Weiskopf-designed Ocean Club Golf Course, the 18-hole par 72 championship course that stretches over 7,100 yards on the resort’s oceanside peninsula.
One of the most intriguing and exciting elements of the series is a pair of college events in the fall in which the winner of the women’s and men’s events earn an exemption into respective LPGA Tour and PGA Tour events.
“The Bahamas is unquestionably one of the finest destinations in the world for a variety of reasons, including the pursuit of leisure activities, and golf in the Bahamas should be high on anyone’s list,” said Jeff Raedle, president of Global Golf Management, a worldwide leader in event management. “We are excited to get the White Sands Series started and continue the tradition of top-tier golf in The Bahamas.”
The Bahamas White Sands Series starts with the LPGA Pro-Am Weekend January 31-February 4 highlighted by a one-day pro-am on February 2 at the Ocean Course featuring 20 LPGA players. Among the players who have committed to participating include Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis and Brittany Lincicome, who won the last two editions of the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic. In addition to a $10,000 purse, players will compete in a $5,000 winner-take-all skills challenge. The weekend also includes a VIP Super Bowl party at Atlantis on the day after the golf competition.
Coming up next in the spring is the Golf Channel and Golf Advisor “Round Trip TV Show and Getaway” hosted by Golf Channel personality and travel expert Matt Ginella. Participants can compete in a two-day tournament at the Ocean Course and enjoy a variety of other activities and events at Atlantis including an exclusive “Casino Night.” Among the other perks are behind-the-scenes access to Golf Channel production and a chance to win tickets to the 2020 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course.
Capping off the series are a pair of collegiate golf events, back to back, starting in late October and featuring some of the top teams in NCAA Division I golf. The White Sands NCAA Shootouts, hosted by the University of Houston, will feature eight-team 54-hole men’s and women’s tournaments. The women’s competition will be held Oct. 27-30 at Atlantis’ Ocean Club Golf Course and the men’s event follows immediately after Oct. 31-Nov. 2.
The winner of the women’s event will receive an exemption into and LPGA event in 2020. Similarly, the winner of the men’s event will receive and exemption into a PGA Tour tournament next year.
“I have been fortunate enough to travel down to The Bahamas for the Pure Silk- Bahamas LPGA Classic the last six years. As a result, I have had the opportunity to experience how magnificent Atlantis and its Ocean Club Golf Course are as host facilities for a world- class event,” said Gerrod Chadwell, University of Houston women’s golf coach. “I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Global Golf Management in creating and delivering the best tournament of 2019 to Paradise Island.”
The Bahamas White Sands Series strengthens what already is an impressive schedule of golf events in the Bahamas starting with two tournaments that open the Web.com Tour season – The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay and The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at the Abaco Club. In December, the Hero World Challenge, hosted by Tiger Woods, returns to Albany Club.
"In the Islands of the Bahamas, there's much to experience and golfing is no exception. In the Abacos and Exuma golfers can take in breathtaking ocean views while challenging themselves with any of our regulation 18-hole courses at each destination. We are thrilled to host an event such as this to truly solidify the Bahamas as a golfer’s paradise" said Bahamas Minister of Tourism, The Hon. Dionisio D'Aguilar.
“The Bahamas White Sands Golf Series will showcase the Islands of The Bahamas
as a world-class golfing destination, while simultaneously providing tourists, sponsors, fans, alumni and experience seekers with one-of-a-kind access to some of the best players in the game and an amazing golfing venue that is both breathtaking and challenging,” Raedle said. “When you combine these events with the Web.com Tour events played here, there is no doubt this is going to be an exciting year in the Bahamas.”
About Global Golf Management
Global Golf Management is a worldwide sports event management company. With headquarters in Chicago, GGM has successfully staged nearly 1,000 events on five continents since its inception in 1989, including major championships on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS and LPGA, as well as the Olympic Golf competition. While GGM specializes in professional golf tournament production, our seasoned team also manages and conducts corporate outings and other golf-related event ventures.
About the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the world’s best scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar is on par with the U.S. dollar.
