SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN (Arizona) — The LPGA is back. It’s also back in one of its most popular stops.
It’s perhaps fitting that the golf course hosting the event is owned and managed by a woman and that concessions are run by a woman-owned company.
This was not intentional, but it speaks to the convergence of events that places women at the forefront LPGA’s first full field event on the 2023 calendar.
The Drive On Championship will take place at Superstition Mountain Golf Club from March 23-26. This is the fourth event in the season, but it was the first three that were restricted field tournaments.
Minjee Lee and Lydia Ko, who are top-ranked, are not in the field. However, the best of all the rest will be playing as Nos. 2, 3, and 4 – Nelly Ko, Jin Young Ko, Atthaya Thitikul, and Lexi Thompson – will be teeing it up, along with Brooke Henderson and Lilia Vu and Danielle Kang.
Scott Wood, 2023 tournament director, said that “it’s going to be an star-studded field.” The field of 144 includes six of the top 10, and fourteen of the top 20, most highly ranked golfers.
An old stomping ground
Arizona golfers will always remember Superstition Mountain.
From 2004 to 2008, it hosted the Safeway International for five consecutive years. These events are best remembered for the three World Golf Hall of Fame winners: Annika Sorenstam and Juli Inkster, in 2005 and 2006 respectively; Lorena Oboa in 2007-2008.
Fans loved the location, and there were more than 150,000 people who visited the galleries over those two weeks.
Lorena Ochoa takes to the 18th hole while fans watch as she plays during the third round at the 2008 Safeway International at Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club, Superstition Mountain. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images).
In 2011, the Founders Cup was held in Grand Canyon State. The event was last held in Arizona in 2019, when Jin Young Ko won her first tournament at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup at Wildfire Golf Club. The COVID pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 event and the tournament was relocated out of Arizona.
Susan Hladky, the owner of Superstition Mountain and Mark Gurnow, her general manager, began working behind-the scenes to bring back professional golf to their part of the world.
Their first effort was to attract the KPMG Women’s PGA. They set their sights high and swung for the fences in an effort to win a major. Although it didn’t work out, it helped them get in front of some of tournament’s biggest players.
Although it never came to fruition, it was a good idea that got us thinking and made us wonder: “How can we do this?” Gurnow spoke with several LPGA members.
His phone rang suddenly.
“I think it was last autumn, they said ‘Mighty you be interested? He said. They were indeed, even though they needed to be available six months later.
Not even golfers
Hladky and her husband did not play golf, but the chance to buy Superstition Mountain in late 2009 was too tempting to miss. Lyle Anderson, who had co-developed the site with Jack Nicklaus, lost his job and had to sell the club with two 18 hole layouts.
James, a Wyoming oilman and entrepreneur, was killed in a helicopter crash less than two years later. Susan became the sole owner/operator of the golf club.
Susan Hladky, Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club. (Photo by Joel Angel Juarez/The Arizona Republic USA TODAY NETWORK
Gurnow has been with the club for nearly 10 years, and was previously with Troon for seven. She is supported by a strong team. Scott Krout is Superstition Mountain’s director for agronomy. He has been with the club since 1999. He still retains tournament notes from Safeway events fifteen years ago.
Hladky is believed to be the only woman to own a LPGA course, but she doesn’t make much of it.
She said that she was not considered a pioneer because of her status. It’s thrilling to imagine that it might be influential for women’s golf.
Her dedication to women’s golf goes beyond hosting an LPGA tournament. Hladky also offers her course to eight members:
- Carlota Ciganda
- Mina Harigae
- Dana Finkelstein
- Jaclyn Lee
- Charlotte Thomas
- Caroline Inglis
- Jennifer Kupcho
- Brianna Do
Superstition Mountain also hosts college and amateur events, as well as an upcoming NCAA regional.
- Arizona Women’s Divisional Stroke play
- U.S. Women’s Open qualifying (twice).
- University of Kansas College Event
- University of Denver College Event
- Southwest Section Pro-Lady Championship (twice).
- NCAA Women’s Regional (2025)
Hladky stated, “When I was growing up, it wasn’t as much of a men’s sport. Women got one day per week.” Hladky’s efforts are now opening doors for many.
Wood stated that they are making an effort to partner with more diversity-owned and women-owned businesses on the tour. “Bringing a tour to a town can bring a lot of economic benefit. If we can support business owners who look like our players and are as successful, that’s a win-win for everyone.”
The membership of Superstition Mountain is more than 400. The members raised $80,000 last November for Sunshine Acres a local charity that helps homeless children. Many of the members are also participating in the LPGA event. There is a volunteer crew of around 400 people.
One-year deal for now
The LPGA owns and operates the Drive On Championship. It has also been held in other states. Although the tournament is currently scheduled for 2023, it could be extended if things go well.
Hladky said, “We hope that this goes well and that the event returns to 2024.”
“Our success is to bring the tour back home to the Phoenix fans.” Wood said, “Have great crowds and great weather. Competitive rounds.” We’ll crown a champion next weekend and look at the situation to see if we can improve next time. Then, we’ll see where the 24 schedule takes us.
