ORLANDO, FLA. – Alison Whitaker of Duke has earned a sponsor’s exemption to the Ginn Tribute hosted by ANNIKA by winning the University of Central Florida (UCF) Challenge at RedTail Golf Club in Sorrento, Fla.
Whitaker, the Blue Devils’ sophomore from Melbourne, Australia, shot a score of 65-71-72=208 (-8) to win by two shots. She led wire-to-wire in route to her career-best finish and her first collegiate win.
“It is just so exciting to get the sponsor’s exemption,” said Whitaker. “I haven’t played in an LPGA event before and after playing in the NCAA Championships the week before it will be great preparation. I think two weeks back-to-back of high quality golf is more than I could ask for in terms of finishing off a semester at Duke. I am very excited about it.”
“It is a nice little bonus as I guess I picked the right tournament to win. It just means that my win will stretch out a little longer. Head Coach [Emily] Klein’s UCF Tournament needs to be recognized because it is run very well. She works very hard in conjunction with Annika and the Ginn Company to put together an excellent field and event.”
Tournament Director Becky Newell said, "We are extremely excited to have Alison included in our prestigious field. She is a talented player and this will be a great experience for her to compete with the best players in the world."
The $2.6 million Ginn Tribute hosted by ANNIKA will be played for the second-consecutive year at RiverTowne Country Club in Charleston, S.C., May 26-June 1, 2008. The 2007 Ginn Tribute hosted by ANNIKA saw Nicole Castrale earn her first LPGA title. Castrale defeated Lorena Ochoa in a sudden-death one-hole playoff to win the $390,000 paycheck.
About Annika
Annika is the greatest female golfer of our generation and often regarded as the best player in LPGA history. Her prestigious list of accomplishments includes her 2003 induction into the World Golf and LPGA Halls of Fame, ten Major Championships, 85 worldwide professional victories, eight LPGA Player of the Year Awards, and participation on eight Solheim Cup teams. Annika has worked hard on her off-the-course businesses, which include the ANNIKA Academy, the ANNIKA Foundation, the ANNIKA Collection with Cutter & Buck, numerous golf course design projects, tournaments she hosts on both the LPGA and Ladies European Tours, along with her website and blog.
About Ginn Resorts
Ginn Resorts is a privately-held resort development and management firm specializing exclusive leisure lifestyle and vacation destination communities. The firm owns and operates communities across the United States and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Celebration, Fla., the firm’s principals have more than three decades of experience in creating large-scale, master-planned resorts and recreation-oriented communities. For more information, visit www.ginnresorts.com.
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