ShopRite LPGA Classic

Well, the ladies of the LPGA are back in NJ, for the ShopRite Classic. Galloway, New Jersey is the home of the Seaview - A Dolce Resort. The ladies will be playing on the Bay Course this week. Last year's champion Ai Miyazato will be there to try and defend her title.

There is also a Pines Course, and they both are some of the most sought after on the East Coast. The course plays 6,247 yards and is a Par 71. This tournament is a 54 hole format, stroke play and consists of 150 players.

Part of this same course the ladies are playing, was home to Sam Sneed's win in 1942 at which he claimed his first major championship! The resort is not far from the Gambling mecca of Atlanta City, NJ. It is known for it's challenges. Those of which include deep pot and high faced bunkers as well as the classic mounds and subtle undulations on the greens. Another challenge is the Seashore winds, which were said to be blowing however, the rains have held off. Some showers are expected on Sunday and the temps have been steady at about 78 degrees each day.

One lady on a mission this week is Jiyai Shin, who is in a tie at 2nd place alongside Amy Yang and Crisite Kerr. Currently in 1st is Catriona Matthew, who started the day in 3rd. 5th place is Shi Hyun Ahn. There is a four way tie for 6th place consisting of; Karen Stupples, Katie Futcher, I.K. Kim, and Brittany Lincicome.

You can catch tomorrow's final round coverage on the Golf Channel from 4:30 - 7:30 pm ET.


Next week, the ladies will be in Springfield, Illinois for the LPGA StateFarm Classic. Plagued by severe storms that hit at last year's tournament, many fingers (including mine) will be crossed so we don't have a repeat of such. I recall it well, since it is a tournament I volunteer for and was caught far out on the course. We gathered in a garage of one of the beautiful homes along the course, and then were later transported back to the clubhouse basement due to Tornado Warnings. It was a hot and sticky tournament for sure! This year may not be much different temperature wise. The start to the week is expected to be at 95 and then slowly decrease to 90 on thursday for the first round.

Cristie Kerr won last year on Monday after storms delayed Sunday's round. She won by 1 stroke over Anna Nordqvist and Na Yeon Choi, with a -22. The Panter Creek Country Club has been home to the StateFarm Classic since it's move from "The Rail" Course, which was home to this event from 1976-2006. Panther Creek was designed by Hale Irwin and develped in 1990. Currently playing 6,746 yards and has a Par 72. The members purchased the course in 1993. The tournament had it's first year at Panther Creek in 2007. The first winner at the new tournament home in 2007, was Sherri Steinhauer who shot a 271, -17. In 2008, Ji Young Oh won with a -18 and 2009 was In-Kyung Kim at -17. The tournament record is held by Hee-Won Han who had a 61 in her 3rd round in 2008.

Coverage for the LPGA StateFarm Classic will be via the Golf Channel. Thurs through Sat coverage will be from 6:30-8:30 pm ET and final round coverage 7:00-9:30 pm ET on Sunday.

An exciting contest was run from May 1st - May 31 and was called the Scavenger Fore Soheim. There were 5 cities and each is represented by an LPGA Player. You merely picked the city nearest you. It involved finding clues via the website and twitter, and entering those codes. Then, at the end of the contest, one finalist was chosen from each of the 5 cities. I happened to get lucky and win as a finalist of one of the cities. By doing so, we each won a TV, and 2 LRS Championship Club Memberships for the entire tournament. A Grand Prize will go to one of the 5 finalists, whose player finishes better than the other four. That Grand Prize is a trip for two, to the 2011 Solheim Cup in Ireland. Airfare, hotel and tickets for the Solheim included. Now, my player is Brittany Lincicome. She must finish better than: M. Pressel, K. McPherson, C. Kim and Crisite Kerr.

So, as I am volunteering (which I do every year) and working 3 days of the tourney, I will be rooting for BamBam! I will be enjoying the LRS Champion Club Membership when possible through the week and then meeting up with Mary Ann (@Ouchieee via twitter), to enjoy Sunday's final round being pampered in the special club seating at the 9th or 18th holes (or a little while at both)!

So, my hopes will be that Brittany finishes better than the other four players representing the other cities. She doesn't have to win (but that would be doubly awesome), but needs to finish better than Kristy, Christina, Morgan and Crisite. Cross your fingers for me!

And remember, you can always catch LIVE SCORING via the LPGA.COM website at Real Time Scoring

Now, Go Hit Some Balls..................