The Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill turned into one of the LPGA's most famous events until it vanished during Carolyn Bivens's tenure as commissioner. Several tournaments have been misplaced throughout the economic struggles of that time, but it is in all likelihood unfair to characteristic the loss to her. Anheuser-Busch (Kingsmill's owner on the time) was offered to a European brewer known as InBev, and they simply decided to position their money some place else.
Now inside the palms of Xanterra Parks and Resorts -- and perhaps additionally due to the fact Whan is now on the helm of the LPGA -- Kingsmill is back at the schedule because the Kingsmill Championship. The 2012 incarnation is being performed this week; next yr it'll be moved to a date in May.
It took me a little effort to confirm who the new sponsor was. If you want more details, here's the Richmond Times-Dispatch article I found from back in January when the deal was done. There's some good info there.
Now, approximately the match itself:
The River Course is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The universal purse has taken successful -- dropped from $2.2M in 2009 to $1.3M this 12 months -- however I suspect which could improve if the event regains its popularity. Bear in mind that Xanterra is owned by means of the identical organization that owns The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, wherein the LPGA held the 2010 U.S. Women's Open (that data also got here from the object cited earlier), in order that bodes nicely for the destiny of the event. The article stated that, despite the fact that the preliminary deal is just for two years, that "both parties [the LPGA and Kingsmill] 'completely intend for Kingsmill to be at the agenda for a long term to return.'"
The 2009 winner was Cristie Kerr, and Tony Jesselli noted over at Mostly Harmless that this is a fairly weak field since most of the non-American players aren't there. (That's no reflection on the tournament, btw. The Ricoh Women's British Open is next week!) That means, in all likelihood, that we will see an American winner this week.
Or maybe not. One of the more notable entrants this week is Marcela Leon, the winner of Big Break: Atlantis. A sponsor's exemption into the Kingsmill was one of her prizes. Next week she heads back to the Symetra Tour... unless maybe she pulls out a win? You can read an interview with her at this LPGA news page.
I think that pretty much covers everything you need to know. You can check Tony's preview of the tournament at the Mostly Harmless link mentioned earlier. I'll just remind you that we get LIVE coverage this week, from 12:30pm to 2:30pm ET today on GC.
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