Meijer LPGA Classic keeps focus on family fun
Meijer is set to host its 2023 LPGA Classic tournament, which will benefit the Meijer Simply Give program that restocks the shelves of food pantries across the Midwest.
While focused on feeding families across the Midwest, the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give also was created with families in mind to ensure the event was a must-attend that families could enjoy and afford.
As a result, this year's tournament will deliver more family fun by bringing back popular attractions, including Discovery Land and the Family Care Area. The Grand Taste Concessions also will return with the most affordable prices at any professional sporting event nationwide, with menu items capped at $4 each. The award-winning tournament will return to Blythefield Country Club June 15-18. Tickets are available at meijerLPGAclassic.com.
"Meijer is a family company that's committed to meeting the needs of families across the Midwest, and that commitment extends to the Meijer LPGA Classic," said Cathy Cooper, executive director of the Meijer LPGA Classic. "We're excited to bring back the family-focused elements of our event that children love and adults appreciate, as well as add a few new things to make this our most memorable tournament yet."
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Discovery Land at the Meijer LPGA Classic will return to its prime location off the 18th fairway, offering young golf fans and their families an especially engaging on-course experience. The open-air kids' destination will feature character visits from Universal Studios guests and Wimee of Wimee's Words, a Grand-Rapids-based TV show on PBS, and card making with American Greetings, a Grand Rapids Children's Museum activity, and outdoor lawn games, including a Kraft Heinz mini golf course, cornhole and fowling. It also will have live tournament coverage on digital boards and seating areas where spectators can view tee shots coming off the 18th tee and players' approaches onto the 18th green.
This year, the Family Care Areas will be expanded to two on-course locations for nursing mothers and parents. One air-conditioned tent will be located next to Discovery Land. It will include two locking rooms with lactation and diaper changing stations and an upgraded waiting area for kids and families. A second air-conditioned location, offering two additional lactation and changing stations, will be available at the 16th fairway.
The Grand Taste Concessions will offer food for families with no item priced over $4. Menu highlights include a cheeseburger for $4 and a hot dog for $2. In addition, Meijer Purple Cow ice cream will be available for $1. Four concessions locations will be on course at the 10th tee, 16th fairway, 18th tee and 18th green.
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As in previous years, children aged 17 years old and under will get in free with a ticketed adult.
The 2023 Meijer LPGA Classic will host a full field of 144 of the best female golfers for 72 holes of stroke play over four days of competition. Proceeds from the tournament—and each of the week's festivities—will once again benefit the Meijer Simply Give program that restocks the shelves of food pantries across the Midwest to help them fulfill their missions of feeding hungry families.
The 2022 tournament raised $1.25 million for local food pantries through Simply Give. In total, the eight tournaments combined have generated more than $8.65 million for the Meijer Simply Give hunger relief program. Additionally, in 2022, Meijer also donated $25,000 to a hunger relief organization of tournament Champion Jennifer Kupcho's choice. She selected Grand Rapids-based Kids' Food Basket as a thank-you to her host family, who had ties to the organization.