Annika Sorenstam, the greatest female golfer of all time and Golf Digest Ireland, the country's biggest selling golf magazine, have announced a joint sponsorship of the ILGU's Junior Medal.
Annika is one of the most successful professional golfers of all time. Born in Sweden in 1970, she won a total of 89 tournaments worldwide - more than any other player in the sport. On the LPGA, she won 72 times, including an incredible 10 majors. The LPGA's Rookie of the Year in 1994, Annika went on to become the tour's Player of the Year eight times in the following 10 years, and was elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003. She is also the record points scorer at the Solheim Cup history.
Annika stepped away from professional golf after the 2008 season to focus on her family and the ANNIKA brand of businesses, which include the ANNIKA Academy, ANNIKA Foundation, ANNIKA Financial Group, ANNIKA Course Design, the ANNIKA Collection of apparel with Cutter & Buck, signature high-end wines with Wente Vineyards, and an online retail shop, shopannika.com. The ANNIKA brand is becoming one of the most recognised brands in world golf.
As one of the two vice-Captains to Alison Nicholas for the upcoming Solheim Cup - to be held for the first time ever in Ireland this September in Killeen Castle, Co. Meath - Annika is a committed ambassador for the game around the world and is a dedicated supporter of getting girls into golf at a young age. As the most successful female golfer ever, there is no one better placed to inspire the next generation of Irish golfers.
"I am happy to be able to share my passion for growing the game of golf globally, specifically for junior girls," said Annika. "I couldn't have achieved what I did without support from an early age, and I love being able to give back in some way now".
"I'm excited to be working with the ILGU," continued Annika. "It's the oldest ladies golf union in the world and its record for promoting and supporting the game is incredible. Together, I believe we can have a positive effect on girls golf in Ireland and hopefully inspire the juniors to follow their dreams and reach their potential in golf."
The "ILGU Junior Medal sponsored by ANNIKA in association with Golf Digest Ireland" is the latest in a number of steps taken in this country in recent years to grow the female game and one of many spear-headed by the ILGU.
Sinead Herarty, the Chief Executive of the ILGU said, "The development and growth of Girls golf is a key priority for the ILGU. To have a player of the reputation and stature of Annika encouraging more girls to participate in the game is a wonderful opportunity for us in the ILGU and we look forward to the momentum her endorsement will bring to this competition. I know all the girls will compete to the best of their abilities and the opportunity to meet Annika at the Solheim Cup will be a great incentive."
The aim of the Junior Medal is to encourage girls of all standards to participate in golf competitions. Open to all female juniors (under 18 years of age on 01/01 of each year) who are members of an ILGU affiliated club, the qualifying period for the ILGU Junior Medal Final will begin is May and continue to July. Then, the 60 girls with the lowest aggregate of three nett score differentials (relative to CSS), one in each month, will qualify for the Final, which will be played at Seapoint Golf Club, Co. Louth on 23 August 2011.
Although traditionally a Medal competition is played under the strokes format of golf, the Junior Medal Final will be played under the stableford format - with a shot-gun start in operation. It is hoped that this will enhance the experience by creating an encouraging, social and competitive environment.
The gold ILGU Junior Medal will be awarded to the overall winner at the Final, with the silver medal awarded to player with playing handicaps up to 20 and bronze medal awarded to player with playing handicaps of 21-36 inclusive.
As part of the commitment, on Sunday 18 September, just days before the Solheim Cup, Annika and Golf Digest Ireland will be hosting a special Q&A forum for the ILGU and 200 of their girls at the Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa. The three victorious players, plus the gross winner, will be invited to have lunch with Annika and will receive their medals at the special and very unique ILGU event afterwards.
