Two of the biggest stars in women’s sports are teaming it up on the course.
Caitlin Clark, the WNBA superstar who has taken the world by storm, announced Monday that she will compete in the Wednesday Pro-Am ahead of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge, the penultimate event on this year’s LPGA schedule. LPGA Hall-of-Famer and 10-time major champion Annika Sorenstam hosts this event every year, which takes place at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. The tournament will feature 120 players competing for a $3.25 million purse.
In addition to playing in the Pro-Am, Clark will join a women’s leadership panel on Tuesday, Nov. 12. This tournament and the corresponding panel will take place during Parity Week, an initiative to celebrate and amplify girls and women in sports and education.
“I love golf, so the opportunity to play in the Pro-Am for a tournament with a legend like Annika Sorenstam’s name on it is so exciting,” Clark said in a statement.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the LPGA players on the driving range, being part of the Women’s Leadership Summit, and, of course, teeing it up in the pro-am with Annika.”
Clark will arrive in the Tampa Bay area as the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year. But she accomplished so much more than that during her first season as a member of the Indiana Fever. The former Iowa standout scored the most points ever by a point guard in a season in WNBA history. She set numerous other WNBA records, which include her dishing out 337 assists (8.4 per game). On top of that, she became the first WNBA rookie to record two triple-doubles during her first season, proof that she is indeed in rarefied air.
“I have been following Caitlin’s career during college and now on the WNBA stage, and what she is doing to bring attention to women’s sports both on and off the court is outstanding,” Sorenstam said.
“I’m excited to meet Caitlin and for her to join us at Pelican Golf Club in November in what will be an exciting week for women’s sports.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
