Paula Creamer won the Samsung World Championship last year, when it was held in Northern California. (File photo / Getty Images) – The LPGA Tour is returning to San Diego this year with a premier tournament to be played at Torrey Pines.

City officials and representatives from International Management Group will announce this morning that the $1 million Samsung World Championship will be played Sept. 17-20 on the Torrey Pines South Course.

The 72-hole event, sanctioned by the LPGA and staged by IMG, will feature 20 of the best players in women’s golf, including 2008 Samsung champion Paula Creamer and the tour’s biggest star, Mexican Lorena Ochoa.

“Torrey Pines is held in such high regard, and this is a tournament with the best players on the LPGA Tour, so it’s an attractive fit that works for everybody,” said Torrey Gane, the tournament director from IMG who moved into a San Diego office recently.

A deal to bring the 29th edition of the Samsung to Torrey Pines has been in the works for more than a year. Negotiations moved slowly until after the 108th U.S. Open was held on the South Course last June. Since then, discussions have focused on matching dates with when the Torrey courses were available.

Initially, the South Course was booked with several large corporate outings during the September week the LPGA had designated for the tournament. The North Course was being considered by IMG, but after two corporations canceled their bookings on the South, it became available to using ladies golf clubs by ladies golfers.

The city’s agreement with IMG is to host this year’s tournament, with an option for 2010. Tournament week begins Monday, Sept. 14, but practice by the LPGA players will be limited that day because a corporate outing on the South will go on as scheduled. The North Course will host its usual public play during the week, according to City Golf Manager Jon Maddern.

The deal calls for IMG to reimburse the city’s golf enterprise fund for lost green fee revenue on the South and staff overtime during the week. Maddern has estimated that figure to be $200,000.

Maddern said very little extra work is required to bring the South to the LPGA’s requirements. He said the tour’s agronomy officials have requested the rough be 2½ to 3 inches, and that’s around where it’s set for the general public. The green speeds will be around 11 on the Stimpmeter, and that can be accomplished in a matter of days.

The women will play the South at about 6,700 yards, or about 80 yards longer than the white tees. “Quite frankly, I think it’s going to be very interesting to see what the women shoot out here special attraction was for left handed golf clubs user’s” Maddern said. “Their short-iron games and putting has always intrigued me. It’s a difficult golf course, we know that.”

This won’t be the first time the LPGA has played on the South, although it was a far different track when Hall-of-Famer Patty Sheehan shot 10-under and won the 1983 Inamori Classic. The visit to Torrey turned out to be a one-shot deal. The Kyocera-Inamori Classic wasn’t played in 1984 and moved to Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in ‘85. Twelve Kyocera events were played on five area courses, the last in 1993 at Stardust Country Club, on the Mission Valley property that is now Riverwalk.

The Samsung World Championship was the brainchild of IMG’s late founder, Mark McCormick. Since 1980, it has been played at 15 venues, including Bighorn Golf Clubs in Palm Desert from 2004-07. Annika Sorenstam is the event’s all-time winner with five titles.

The Half Moon Bay Golf Links hosted last year, and Creamer, a Northern California native, was the popular winner. Gain said IMG does not keep attendance figures, but she said ticket sales were up 270 percent from the previous year at Bighorn, when Ochoa won.

“There was tremendous appeal at Half Moon Bay, but I’m certain we’ll get a lot more fans in San Diego,” Gane said. “It’s a true golf community and the first time the LPGA has been here in over 15 years.”

The field will be of top quality. The defending champion (Creamer) and last year’s leading money winner (Ochoa) already have qualified. The winners of this season’s four majors will be in the field. One exemption goes to the top money winner on the Ladies European Tour (who is often also a member of the LPGA), one goes to a Hall of Fame player if she is in the top 30 on the current money list, and one goes to an invitee of the championship committee. The other players will come from the top 20 on the tour’s money list as of Aug. 31.

Look great. Play Great. Click here to find out how you can play better golf!

It’s well known that, especially in England, golf clubs are steeped in tradition. But in some cases, that tradition has had to haul itself into the modern world if rather reluctantly.

Sexist

Some believe golf clubs can be exclusive and snooty, but it will come as a great surprise to many Americans that they can also be sexist. One club in north Dublin, Ireland, had its drinks license suspended for refusing to allow women as members.

Losing Out

It seems crazy that in the UK where they even had a female Prime Minister – Margaret Thatcher – that such injustices still continue. It is archaic to think women golfers shouldn’t be allowed in men only golf clubs. As well as being denied the game, by banning women they are losing out on the social benefits and even economic benefits that arise from the networking opportunities which come with membership.

Damaging

Meanwhile, another one of Britain’s golf clubs in Kent controversially said that golf clubs that are men only should still be able to host high profile tournaments, such as the Open Championship. But such negative publicity can only be damaging for the golf clubs in question and even damaging to the sport itself.

Golf clubs

As of 2007, golf clubs that ban women from their bars or restrict the times they can play the game will be violating EU law. These practices are being outlawed by a new sex discrimination directive, which disallows discrimination on goods and services including golf clubs.

Equal Opportunities

A UK woman, Clare Oliver, petitioned for the law after complaining that women had unequal treatment playing in tournaments or standing for election on committees.

Organisations like the English Ladies Golf Association believe it is about time women had equal opportunities in the game and in all golf clubs. Such discrimination such as being refused access to the bar is seen as laughable to many young women golfers from younger generations who are used to equal opportunities in their every day lives.

Single Sex

Despite the fact EU countries have until December 2007 to enact the law, single-sex golf clubs are still allowed. To ban single-sex golf clubs would be seen as an affront to the rights of freedom of expression.

Success

Many women golfers celebrate the new legislation and hope that the sexism in the game will soon be a thing of the past.

Look great. Play Great. Click here to find out how you can play better golf!

What is so special about golf? Well, if you ask golf enthusiasts, they will say it is a healthy competitive sport, an excellent skill that gives participants a very good opportunity to relax. Playing golf is lot of fun and you will enjoy it even if you are not a professional golf player. There are certain golfing needs that golfers cannot ignore. If you want to play the game properly, you will require the right golf equipment. You can measure and improve your skills, if you have golf equipment that support properly your goals. The two most essential components of golf adventure are golf clubs and golf balls. Basically there are 4 types of golf clubs and each has its own advantages. You should always have a quality stock of golf clubs and golf balls. Golf clubs are nothing but tools that allow you to make the swing and hit the ball. If you possess these 2 equipments at hand, then you simply cannot fail. Your golf bag will also have other items that will spice up your game. Getting right golf equipment is very important to the game. This can definitely give you the winning edge over your opponents. Ensure that the golf equipment you buy is effectively put to use to achieve the desired goal. A sport that many say is expensive, surprisingly requires any golf equipment to play. Golf accessories are considered to be expensive but if you purchase online, you will definitely find golf accessories within your budget. Other golf equipment include golf bags, golf tees, golf ball markers and golf cleats. Today golf equipment are made with various novelty designs and patterns such as stars print or a smiley face. With the increasing variety of choice in style and color, customer satisfaction is guaranteed. If you have just started playing golf, you will definitely find set of clubs under $200. The big advantage of searching online is that you can get decent, good and excellent golf equipment priced anywhere in between. Make a style statement by wearing fancy golf apparel and shoes. Playing golf won’t be tough, infact it would have an enjoyable experience if you purchase the right golf equipment. There is no need to go to the market for golf equipment. There are websites where you you will find a wide selection of golf equipment online. Women also have a choice to select golf accessories and clothing from top brands that have a unique feminine appeal. Certainly these items can be an ideal golf gift for lady golfers. So the next time, you want to purchase golf equipment, access the Web. It is the best place where one can find everything related to golf from golf clubs and balls to golf carts.

Look great. Play Great. Click here to find out how you can play better golf!

According to the golf game etiquette you have to look presentable and appropriate clothes is a must. Most private country clubs have a dress code and dressing appropriately shows respect for other golfers and club members. The full history of golf clothing would take a book. Golf fashion styles were very variable, from elegant jackets and trousers to shocking and colorful T-Shirts. But true golfers do understand the necessity of being well-dress on a course.  Good clothes makes the golf game what it is, and many people agree that it’s a good rule and tradition to be well-dressed on the green. Thankfully, golf is not a gentlemen’s game anymore.  Since women and kids started to play golf, many companies diversified their golf apparel lines. Now you can choose from hundreds of brands, materials, sizes and styles of golf tops, bottoms, shoes and equipment.

First and foremost, you have to purchase before playing golf is a form-fitting polo and mock tee shirt with a collar. It can be sleeveless, long sleeves, quarter sleeves etc.  Pants are better to wear with a leather belt. Pants also shouldn’t have any cuffs to avoid soiling by dirt. Shorts should be specially designed for golf, no denim or gym shorts are allowed. Good length is just above the knees. Remember, that socks should match your pants and your shoes. Women could wear skirts without any problems. There are plenty of different skirt styles and colors available on markets and online stores. Golfers usually wear a colorful clothes made from many different materials but do not mix all colors at the same time. A good hint is to choose one bright color (red, pink, yellow) and leave other items neutral (brown, black, white).  Your golf polo and golf trousers should fit you perfectly, help you to play golf comfortably and do not hinder movements.  Each item should be clean and pressed thoroughly.

One of the most important thing in your golf wardrobe is a golf shoes.  Do not be grudge on a good pair of golf shoes. Sandals or sneakers are not allowed. Comfort and support are worth the money. Another good rule is “no metal spikes”.

Many golfers use golf gloves to control and feel the clubs better, but this detail is not a first-necessity. Golf gloves could be very helpful when the weather is rainy or windy.

Your golf uniform collection should also include the following: golf sweater, golf pullover or vest to keep you warm if the weather is getting colder, waterproof golf clothing to be able to play when it’s wet and lightweight hats to keep the sun off your head and face, it could also improve your vision.  Tommy Bahama, Taylor Made, Ian Poulter, Cobra, Tiger Woods, Callaway – these brands are made the best caps, which one to choose – it’s up to you to decide!

Nike, Adidas, Callaway, Foot Joy and other top sports names make excellent mens and ladies apparel for the game. Clothes produced by these sports companies are very stylish, fashionable and elegant.  Now it is not a problem to find any kind of golf apparel to satisfy golfers’ needs.

Proper golf apparel makes you look better and feel more comfortable and makes the golf experience more fun and enjoyable. Moreover, your golf-mates will definitely take you serious.

“Golf Club Complete Set” has a tremendous selection of womens mens kids golf apparel for sale. You can choose from different brands, colors, sizes and styles. Golf clothes, such as golf polos, golf t-shirts, golf sweaters, golf skirts and golf trousers are available in any price categories. Our prices are very competitive plus lots of discounts.

Look great. Play Great. Click here to find out how you can play better golf!