SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN (Ariz.) — The LPGA has returned to one of the most popular golf hotbeds.
The Drive On Championship will take place at Superstition Mountain Golf Club from March 23-26. The course’s name may sound familiar. Superstition Mountain was home to the LPGA’s Safeway International for five years before it moved to Portland.
For the next 12 years, the LPGA hosted other events in the greater Phoenix region. It only missed 2010. The Founders Cup was founded in Arizona by Volvik, a golf ball manufacturer. However, the title sponsor for 2020 was not chosen as the COVID pandemic wiped out the event and many other pro-golf events from the calendar.
It has been almost a year since the LPGA competed in Arizona. Jin Young Ko won the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, her third LPGA victory and her first at Wildfire Golf Club in the U.S. that year.
The LPGA is now back in a location near the Superstition Mountains. These mountains provide stunning views from all points on the property.
The 18th green at the 2008 Safeway International at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club, Superstition Mountain (Arizona), during the final round. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images
It’s incredible, I think. It’s really important. Susan Hladsky, the owner of this property, said that it is a “warm-weather hub”.
Mark Gurnow, Superstition Mountain general manger, had worked for many years to bring a tournament. The KMPG Women’s PGA was their first attempt at landing it. They also had talks with the PGA Tour Champions.
Gurnow stated, “I assumed either the senior or the ladies are the ones this course is going to suit.”
The LPGA was ultimately the best match, even though the announcement wasn’t made until November 2022. Since then, it’s been a mad rush to make the course ready.
Superstition Mountain’s director of agronomy Scott Krout is an ace in the hole. He has been there since 1999, when the mountain was opened.
Scott Wood, 2023 tournament director, stated that he was present when the first shovel was pushed into the ground. He was also there when the LPGA played here last.
Watch the golf, enjoy the sun and visit the 19th Hole Beer Garden next to the driving range. There you will find DJ Javin (Wednesday through Friday) and DJ Aja Cru (Saturday & Sunday).
A large flatscreen will also be available with coverage from Golf Channel, as well as the NCAA Tournament games for women and men.
At the 17th green, there will be another spot with the theme “You Glow Girl”, where you can enjoy specialty drinks in souvenir cups. There will also be concessions.
Fans will be able to meet the LPGA golfers up close, as they plan to visit “Selfie Stations”, located around the course.
Fun for fans is the bottom line
They can play some golf, eat good food and catch up on their brackets. Wood stated that there will be a fun zone for the family with children. “We’re just trying to bring different energies to certain areas of the golf course.
“We believe it’s important for us to do different things and to try different things since we are the title sponsor of this week. It’s worth trying, right? He continued, “We can only yell about ourselves.” “Overall, we want everyone to have fun. We are confident that the golf will be spectacular.”
LPGA owns and operates The Drive On. Although the event is being held at Superstition Mountain, it’s only for this season. All parties are looking to establish a long-term partnership.
