PRESS RELEASE
World Hall of Fame Member Juli Inkster Leads the Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational as Honorary Chairperson
Prince William, Virginia (March 17, 2011) – Frank Lasch, Chairman of Azalea Charities, announced today the signing of Juli Inkster, World Hall of Fame Member and current member of the LPGA Tour to headline a group of nine other women from the LPGA Tour who will participate in the Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational on May 3, 2011 at the Piedmont Club in Haymarket, Virginia.
“Juli Inkster is a great asset to help us launch our first Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational. She is a fantastic golfer who is totally committed to our causes.” commented Lasch. “Our goal is to raise $200,000 from this event, and Juli adds an element of prestige that shows sponsors that the Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational will be a high profile event in the 2011 Washington DC golf season.”
“I am excited and honored to have been asked by Azalea Charities to be the Honorary Chairperson of the inaugural Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational,” said Inkster, the 8-time US Solheim Cup participant and winner of 7 Major Championships. “I look forward to participating with my fellow members of the LPGA and helping to benefit Aid for Wounded Warriors and local charities.”
The remainder of the playing field have not formally committed, but players such as 5-time US Solheim Cup participant Pat Hurst, 2010 LPGA Rookie of the Year Azahara Munoz, and up and coming stars such as Pernilla Lindberg and Taylor Leon are expected to participate.
“We have invited an outstanding field of golfers from the LPGA to participate in our inaugural Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitation,” stated Doug Taggart, President of Azalea Charities. “We are excited for our sponsors, participants and local golf fans to have the opportunity to watch both the best Club Professionals from the Mid-Atlantic PGA Section as well as stars from the LPGA Tour as they tackle Piedmont Club and help us achieve our fundraising goal.”
The Azalea Classic is three-day charity golf event taking place at the Piedmont Club in Haymarket, VA. On Sunday, May 1, Azalea Charities welcomes over 80 athletes from the Northern Virginia Special Olympics and Boys and Girls Clubs for a golf clinic and on-course play conducted by golf pros, sponsors and local high school golfers. Monday, May 2 is the Annual Azalea Classic Pro-Am Invitational, one of the premier Pro-Am Tournaments for the Middle Atlantic Professional Golfers Association. New this year is the Azalea LPGA Pro-Am Invitational, which will be an exciting climax to three great days of golf action.
For sponsorship information or to learn more about how you can participate, please contact golf@azaleacharities.com or visit our website at www.azaleacharities.org.
About Azalea Charities
Azalea Charities is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization in Prince William County, Virginia. The organization is staffed entirely by volunteers who donate their time, talent and money. Azalea Charities raises funds for its community charities and Aid for Wounded Warriors through contributions and sponsorship of Team Azalea Charities in the Marine Corps Marathon and the Azalea Classic Pro-Am Invitational Golf Classic, the organization’s keystone event held each May at the Piedmont Club. Beyond minimal expenses, all the funds they raise go to their charitable core causes. Further information is available at www.azaleacharities.org.
Contact: Scott L. Abell
Co-Chair, Azalea Classic
703-357-3003
scott_abell@comcast.net