OCALA, FLORIDA, January 29, 2016 – When players arrive to the Coates Golf Championship presented by R+L Carriers at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club next week, they’ll find their locker name plates have been designed by very special young artists. Instead of going the traditional route when it comes to labeling player lockers, Coates Golf invited girls of the local chapter of the LPGA USGA Girls Golf and pediatric patients from UF Health to design the players’ tags.
On Tuesday, pediatric patients at UF Health will also be visited by LPGA players and Coates Golf President Mollie Coates. The professional golfers, who include Coates Golf ambassador Juli Inkster, Brittany Lincicome, UF almna Sandra Gal and others, will spend time with the patients who are eager to offer the ladies some golf tips – Wii golf tips that is. Come Wednesday, the girls of Girls Golf will be given the opportunity to go “inside the ropes” at the Coates Golf Championship.
“Our partnership with UF Health means a great deal to us. We are excited to offer such a personal experience to patients and their families,” shared Mollie Coates, President of Coates Golf about the player visits. “I have a feeling we will all walk away from our time at UF Health inspired by the children we meet.”
“In addition to the player visits, we can’t wait for the players to arrive at the Coates Golf Championship to find that their locker name plates have been designed by children under the care of UF Health and girls from Girls Golf, ” said Coates. “The hope is that the players find the gesture a special welcome to the Coates Golf Championship and to North Central Florida. The ladies of the LPGA are strong and their stories are inspiring. We believe the same to be true of the children at UF Health. We are glad to be in a position to bring all of these worlds together.”
Rolex Rankings No. 1 Lydia Ko will make her season debut at the Coates Golf Championship presented by R+L Carriers. Ko, who ascended to No. 1 in the world following last year’s tournament at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club. Victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Captain and Coates Golf Ambassador Juli Inkster, 2014 U.S. Women’s Open winner Michelle Wie, top ranked American Stacy Lewis and fan favorites Paula Creamer, Brooke Henderson, Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson are also expected to tee it up in Ocala.
Media Contact:
Lisa Lombardo, Director of Communications at Coates Golf:
(352) 425-2912 / (352) 840-1014, llombardo@coatesgolfchampionship.com