SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2010 LPGA CLASSIC THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY

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Some golfers know challenges Thompson faces in debut

By MICHAEL McGARRY Blumenherst went to Duke lowed junior golf and was Other sponsor
Staff Writer University. She graduated in
Amanda Blumenherst and 2009, won the U.S. Women’s
always on the lookout for
young stars. exemptions at
Morgan Pressel know the golf Amateur in 2008 and was Current Classic executive ShopRite Classic
decisions and challenges three-time national college director Tim Erensen has con-
Cristie Kerr (1996, 73-77,
Alexis Thompson faces. player of the year. tinued the tradition by giving
missed cut).
Thompson is the latest She is the LPGA’s top rookie Thompson a sponsor’s
American golfing teen phe- so far this year with two top-10 exemption this year. Michelle Wie (2003, 71-72-72-
nom. The 15-year-old from finishes in her first six starts. Thompson, whose nick- 215, tied for 52nd place)
Coral Springs, Fla., will “I absolutely love name is Lexi, became the Paula Creamer (2004, 70-64-
make her professional school,” she said. “I youngest player ever to qualify 69-203, tied for second)
debut at this week’s love being in class. I’m for the U.S. Women’s Open
Amanda Blumenherst (2006,
ShopRite LPGA kind of a dork.” when she did at the age of 12
72-73, missed cut)
Classic on a sponsor’s The Classic has in 2007.
exemption. served as a coming- Thompson broke Pressel’s
Blumenherst, 23, out-party for many tal- record, who qualified for the fessionally.
and Pressel, 22, were ented teen golfers who open in 2001 also at the age of Wie, 20, plays the tour full
once teen phenoms THOMPSON played the tourna- 12. Thompson was seven time and also attends Stanford Associated Press photo by Denis Poroy
themselves. Now, ment on sponsor months younger. University from September to LPGA rookie Amanda Blumenherst, 23, was a teen golf phe-
they’re two of the top exemptions. All these teen standouts face mid-March. nom who chose to go to Duke University before turning pro.
players on the LPGA The organizers of the challenge of deciding “Education is something that
Tour and both will each LPGA tourna- when to turn professional. you should never give up just The history major didn’t very well, I don’t have to feel
play the Classic. ment get to pick two or Pressel considered joining because you’re doing some- consider turning pro even after like this is it.”
How they got to the three players to com- Blumenherst at Duke. The two thing else,” Wie said. “Getting a she was named college player Blumenherst couldn’t imag-
tour shows the differ- pete in their tourna- knew each other from playing college degree is extremely of the year as a freshman. ine turning professional at the
ent paths available to BLUMENHERST ment. The exemptions in the same junior golf tourna- important and I value that “I had a lot of people asking age of 15 like Thompson is.
talented teens. often go to promising ments. highly. So walking down the ‘Why aren’t you turning pro?’ ” “I remember being 15 and
Pressel, who won the 2005 newcomers or golfers who can But Pressel decided to turn aisle getting my diploma is Blumenherst said. “It was being excited to make pars,”
U.S. Women’s Amateur, bring attention to the event. professional, a choice she going to be amazing.” always my plan to go for four Blumenherst said. “It’s also a
skipped college and turned Cristie Kerr made her pro- doesn’t regret. Four months But Wie never considered years. I really felt myself lot of your childhood that
professional when she was 17. fessional debut at the 1995 before turning pro, Pressel fin- delaying turning professional mature as a person and also as you’re missing. She’s going to
She has two LPGA victories, Classic. Michelle Wie played ished tied for second at the and playing golf for Stanford. a golfer.” be missing (high school
including the Kraft Nabisco the Classic in 2003 as a 13- 2005 U.S. Women’s Open. “I never played high school Blumenherst said she can senior) prom probably and
Championship, an LPGA year-old. Paula Creamer fin- “It was the right decision for golf,” she said. “It (playing col- relax more on golf course missing going to college. I def-
major, in 2007. ished second as an amateur in me,” Pressel said. “I played in lege golf) never really crossed because she has a college initely wouldn’t have made
“I felt that I was ready and 2004. Blumenherst played in plenty of LPGA events (before my mind.” degree. that choice.”
that writing essays on English 2006 but missed the cut. turning pro).” In contrast, college golf was “It’s created a safety net,” Contact Michael McGarry:
literature wasn’t going to help Former Classic general Some LPGA standouts com- the only path to the LPGA for she said. “When I go to a golf 609-272-7185
me in my career,” she said. chairman Larry Harrison fol- bine college with playing pro- Blumenherst. tournament, and if I don’t play MMcGarry@pressofac.com

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If you are going to the Classic, here are some tips

The ShopRite LPGA Classic gives
local fans an opportunity they rarely
have.
The tournament features the
world’s best women golfers. It’s not
often the world’s best in anything
come to southern New Jersey.
Spectators and volunteers not only
get a chance to see the best, but they
can stand close to the action and
watch Michelle Wie hit her booming
drives and Paula Creamer sink clutch
putts.
Here’s some information and tips
for spectators to make the most out
of the Classic this week.
Quick facts
Purse: Prize money is $1.5 million.
Winner will receive $225,000.
Format: Three days, 54 holes. A
sudden-death playoff will be held in
the event of a tie at the end of regula-
tion.
Course: The Bay Course at Seaview
— A Dolce Resort. The course mea-
sures 6,071 yards, and par is 71.
Television: The Golf Channel will
televise the Classic on Friday from 3-
6 p.m; Saturday from noon-2 p.m.
and Sunday from 3-6 p.m.
Information: Call the tournament
office at (609) 652-1800 or go to
shopritelpgaclassic.com
Tickets
Can be purchased at the tourna-
ment site the day of competition.
Admission is free Monday-
Wednesday. Tickets cost $15
Thursday-Sunday.
Children under the age of 17 are
admitted free when accompanied by
a paid adult.
ShopRite Price Plus members can
show their membership cards and
receive two free tickets per day.
All service personnel (military, fire,
police) are admitted free with proper
ID.
Schedule
Monday: 18-hole open qualifying
tournament begins at 1 p.m. for two
spots in the Classic. Monday is also a
practice round all day for the pros.
Usually a light day for spectators and
players. Free admission.
Tuesday: First day of the two-day
pro-am. Play begins at 7 a.m. Free
admission.
Wednesday: Second day of the pro-
am. Play begins at 7 a.m. Free admis-
sion.
Thursday: Practice round for the
pros. Tickets cost $15.
Friday: The first round of champi-
onship play. Play begins at 7:15 a.m.
Admission is $15.
Saturday: The second round of
championship play. Play begins at
7:15 a.m. Admission is $15. After this
round, the field will be cut to the best
70 players plus ties.
Sunday: The final round of cham-
pionship play. Admission is $15. The
leaders should tee off about noon. the players come to you.
! A grandstand is near the 18th
Parking and traffic green.
The hole is a big draw, especially
Parking cost $5 and is at the on the Classic’s final day, so stake out
Galloway Township Municipal your seat early.
Complex at 300 Jimmie Leeds Road. ! The second green is another excel-
Free shuttle buses will take specta- lent place to watch. This 407-yard,
tors from the parking area to Seaview. par-4 could be the toughest hole if
The buses leave the parking lot every the wind is blowing off the bay.
30 minutes.
Traffic on Route 9 near the golf
Standing near the green offers
impressive views of Atlantic City and
course will be detoured. Check for a Brigantine.
map of the detour route on A9. ! The third hole, a 495-yard, par-5 is
another good spot to watch. Many of
Spectator tips the pros can reach the green in two,
so there should be plenty of exciting
! Before entering the course, watch
the pros at the putting green and dri-
eagle opportunities.
! Lastly, leave the cell phone at home
ving range. Both allow spectators an or at least make sure it’s silenced.
up-close view. Nothing is more embarrassing
! Once entering the course, fans can than hearing someone’s tacky ring-
either follow a player from hole-to- tone in the middle of a player’s back-
hole (daily pairings will be available swing.
at the course and printed in The
Press) or camp out at one hole and let Complied by Michael McGarry