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Giant Eagle LPGA Classic lacks stars
VIENNA, Ohio - The lack of star power at the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic doesn't seem to phase LPGA Commissioner Ty Votaw. There are more top 20 players from the money list missing from this year's field than there are playing. Not here are No. 1 Annika Sorenstam and No. 2 Karrie Webb. Also missing are No.4 Maria Hjorth and No. 6 Lorie Kane. Two other big name draws, Hall of Fame player Nancy Lopez and Susie Redman of Salem, Ohio, were also forced to withdraw from the tournament. Lopez withdrew for personal reasons, while Redman pulled out because of fatigue. Despite having only 7 of the top 20 players on the money list, Votaw says the field that will begin play today at the Squaw Creek Country Club is still strong Votaw said the timing of the event is the main reason players are missing from the field. 'When your tournament is the week before a major event, especially a major event being played in Europe, it is expected that a lot of players will take the week off to prepare.' Many of the European players opted not to play this week to get ready for the Weetabix Women's British Open. Officials of the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic have been told that next year's tournament will be surrounded by two regular tour events. Those playing in the tournament include last year's champion Dorothy Delasin and past champions Jackie Gallagher-Smith (1999), Se Ri Pak (1998), Tammie Green (1994-1997), Michelle McGann (1995-1996), Betsy King (1992) and Deb Richard (1991). Pak, who ranks No. 3 on the money list, is considered the favorite. She recently won the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic in Sylvania, Ohio, for the third time in the past four years. When Pak won in 1998, it was done when she was playing her best golf. She won four times during her rookie season, including victories at the U.S. Women's Open and the LPGA Championship. She also made more money this year - $958,992 - than she did during the 1999 season when she won $956,926. Pak won her Giant Eagle LPGA Classic at Avalon Lakes Golf Course. The tournament was switched back to Squaw Creek this year after eight years. Squaw Creek played host to the tournament from 1990 to 1992. Even though Pak is favored, she doesn't think she's the player to beat. 'It's still a strong field,' Pak said. 'I always want to be with a strong field. I wanted to play one more tournament before the British Open to gain more practice and experience.' Pak also likes the new venue. 'This is a difficult course,' she said. 'There is a lot of undulations and some of the greens are pretty hard and bumpy, making them hard. 'This course is fun to play and is a new experience. It's more challenging. You have to think more about your shots.' Delasin, who won her first LPGA event here last year, hopes she can play her best. 'It feels good to have a title to defend,' she said. 'Coming back here brings back memories. I think this course is a lot tougher. You need to land the ball in the right places. 'The greens are brutal. But, they are the same for everyone. Half the field had never played on this course before.' Many of the players marveled how well the course looked. They said players who are shot-makers would score well. Some even think the scoring will be low. 'If you put the ball in the right places, it's easy to score here,' King said. 'This is a great place. I enjoy older courses with mature trees. The green aren't 50 yards deep and are more defined.' The first round begins at 7:30 p.m. The top players don't begin until after noon.
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