LAKE GENEVA, Wis., April 1, 2008 – For the second consecutive year, the purse for the Aurora Health Care Championship has increased by $10,000 for the Ladies Professional Golf Association developmental tour stop at Geneva National Golf Club in southeast Wisconsin. The $100,000 purse makes it one of the top stops on the tour.
Activities at this year’s event begin the week of May 26 and will include a qualifying round, Pro-Am and the three-day tournament, which begins on Friday, May 30. One hundred forty-two golfers from around the world and two local amateur players will take to the Arnold Palmer course in their quests to gain coveted LPGA exemptions. The developmental tour, known as the Duramed FUTURES Tour, includes 18 events across the country culminating in Oct. 17-19 at the Georgia Invitational in Braselton, Ga.
“The community, the region and Geneva National really roll out the red carpet, making it the most popular stop on the tour for these young women. The fact that the purse has increased 20 percent in two years is testament to its success,” said Tournament Director Howard Storck. “We’re proud to help in the development of women’s golf and pleased that the event’s charitable proceeds will be used to help improve women’s health care in Wisconsin.”
The Duramed FUTURES Tour has established itself as “the Road to the LPGA” and in 1999, it was designated as the official developmental tour of the LPGA. In July 2007, it was acquired by the LPGA. Nearly 300 Duramed FUTURES Tour alumnae are LPGA Tour members and combined have captured more than 320 LPGA victories and 35 major championships. Marquee alumnae include Lorena Ochoa, Karrie Webb, Christina Kim, Grace Park and Cristie Kerr. The top five players on the Tour’s Money List earn automatic LPGA Tour exemptions for the following year.
The Duramed FUTURES Tour, celebrating its 27th anniversary, has remained committed to developing the skills and dreams of women golfers, establishing role models for youth and creating LPGA stars of tomorrow.
For more information on the Aurora Health Care Championship, including ticket and pro-am information, visit www.aurorachampionship.org.
