The LPGA Tour announced Thursday it is adding a team event to its schedule in 2019. The inaugural Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational will be played July 17-20, 2019 at Midland Country Club in Midland Michigan.
The official announcement was made at the host club Thursday morning with several LPGA Tour players in attendance.
A total of 72 teams (144 players) will square off in four-ball (better ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) competition for a $2 million purse. Details of the tournament format, including standards for qualifying, selection, and team composition will be announced sometime prior to the start of the 2019 LPGA season.
This tournament will be the first official LPGA team event since the organization was founded in 1950.
“Our players and fans have consistently asked about a team event on the LPGA,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “I know our players will enjoy this event, as much as our fans.
“I’m excited and honored to have Dow expand its partnership with the LPGA family, “and launch this incredible event. Personally, I can’t wait for 2019, when we debut the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational to our fans from around the globe.”
Angela Stanford, who’s been on the LPGA Tour for close to two decades, says she’s looking forward to playing in a team event. “I love it,” she said. “Playing in Solheim Cups, I think the Americans and Europeans and now, with the International Crown, different nations are getting involved with the team aspects of golf.
“I think it’s awesome because you’re going to get to see different sides of these players , and you’re going to get to see their personalities, and you’re going to get to see them interact with their friends. I just think that’s so cool.
“Because week in and week out you see an individual and you see individuals doing everything then can do beat everybody around them. This one week of the year I think is going to be pretty cool encase you’re going to get to see these ladies interact.”
Dow has made a five-year commitment to the event.
The LPGA has staged several unofficial team events through its history. The Hot Springs (VA) 4-Ball Invitational was a fixture from 1955-58. The first year it was played, Betty Jameson and Mary Lena Faulk split $1,450 as their share of a $6,500 purse.
In the years since, LPGA Tour players have competed in the Women’s World Cup of Golf (2000, 2005-08), and also joined forces with the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions for team events, including the JC Penny Classic (1960s through 1999), the Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge and the Hyundai Team Matches (1994-97, 1999-2002)
