8th Annual Marilynn Smith LPGA Charity Pro Am honoring Judy Rankin scheduled for Monday, October 10th

by Howie Tiger

On Monday, October 10th, the 8th annual Marilynn Smith LPGA Charity Pro Am will be played on the Tuscany Falls course at Pebblecreek in Goodyear, Arizona. Each team competing in the 8am shotgun scramble will feature one of 36 LPGA professionals playing with the four men/women amateurs. The proceeds go to the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Fund to help young women attend college. Last year’s event netted over $165,000. Twenty-five $5,000 scholarships were awarded.

Judy Rankin is this year’s tournament participating honoree. A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame with 26 LPGA Tour victories and an incredible career as a golf analyst/commentator for ESPN, ABC and Golf Channel. LPGA co-founder Shirley Spork, TV golf analyst Jane Crafter, Colorado Hall of Famer Penny Zavichas, former US Open champion Susie Berning, former LPGA Championship winner Gloria Ehret, and LPGA tournament winners Sherri Turner and Shelly Hamlin will also participate.

The $250 entry fee ($225 if paid before June 30th) includes golf with an LPGA pro, breakfast on the run, buffet luncheon and a goodie bag containing a shirt, golf balls and other commemorative gifts. For those not playing, but want to attend the luncheon, the cost is $30. Judy Rankin is scheduled to speak.

Autographed memorabilia and other collectibles will be auctioned off (silent and live). Auction items will be on display in the Tuscany ballroom before and during lunch and available to on-line purchase for those unable to attend in person. (http://msmith16.aucton-bid.org/).

Fabulous prizes will be raffled with first prize being a Rolex watch; second prize is your choice of a cruise to the Bahamas, Mexico or the western Caribbean. Third is three PING G-Crossover clubs. Raffle tickets are available now by calling Marilynn. One for $10, three for $25 and seven for $50.

Marilynn Smith is a co-founder of the LPGA and winner of 21 LPGA tour events including 2 majors. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2006 under the Lifetime Achievement categry. She served as LPGA president from 1958-1960 and is still known as one of the game’s greatest ambassadors. She has called the PebbleCreek community her home for the last 12 years and lives with her precious dog Benny.

Marilynn founded the golf scholarship fund as a result of the lack of funds available to her while paying golf at the University of Kansas in 1948. Her father had asked the KU athletic director, Phog Allen, for travel expense money so she could attend the Women’s National Intercollegiate Golf Tornament. He said, “Mr. Smith, it’s too bad your daughter is not a boy.” This incident was the catalyst for Marilynn to establish a scholarship fund to help other young women golfers.

For more information, pick up brochures at either PebbleCreek pro shops, visit www.LPGAFoundation.org/MSmith or call Marilynn at 623.322.3574. Sponorships are also available, see options in the brochure.

Spectators are welcome, so come out and join in the fun.