Ginn OPEN Tournament Course One of THE Best

Golfweek Magazine has ranked the Ginn OPEN Tournament Course one of "The Best Tournament Courses You Can Play".  Reunion, home to the Ginn OPEN, was ranked #20.  Read more about the award and see the complete list of rankings.

TIME names Lorena Ochoa one of the 100 most influential people in the world

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 1, 2008 – LPGA Tour player and world number one Lorena Ochoa today joins an acclaimed list of individuals honored in this year’s TIME 100. As TIME managing editor Richard Stengel writes in his Letter to Readers, “The TIME 100 is not a list of the smartest, the most powerful, or the most talented—it is a thoughtful and sprightly survey of the most influential individuals in the world. Influence, like those other categories, is subjective, but you try to measure it in the effect people have on the world.” ... read more

Ochoa Wins the 2008 Ginn OPEN

The 2008 Ginn OPEN has come and gone, and left behind some amazing stories. After four days of challenging golf, it was Lorena Ochoa who once again proved her dominance of the LPGA, taking home the much coveted Dale Chihuly designed Kelly Jo Dowd Trophy.

The Ginn OPEN was a tournament that had twice previously escaped Ochoa, and this year wasn't without challenge. Strong play from rookie Yani Tseng kept pressure on Ochoa, but in the end, she managed to hold her lead, even putting a couple of strokes between the two of them, reminding the golf world why she is number one, and taking home her fourth victory in a row.

Ginn Open renames championship trophy

By Tim Reynolds, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kelly Jo Dowd's memory will live on at the Ginn Open.

The LPGA tournament is renaming its winner's trophy in memory of Dowd, the Palm Harbor, Fla., woman whose fight against breast cancer made international headlines two years ago when her then-13-year-old daughter, Dakoda, played in the event.

Now, the Ginn winner will receive what is being called "The Kelly Jo Dowd Championship Trophy." ... read more.

Ginn Employee Trini Hartley chosen to present the 2008 Ginn OPEN trophy

Ginn Resorts employee Trini Hartley presented Ginn OPEN champion Lorena Ochoa with the Kelly Jo Dowd Championship Trophy April 20

Following a four-day search for an employee to represent Ginn Resorts in the presentation of the first Kelly Jo Dowd Championship trophy, Trini, a featured builder liaison at Tesoro, was selected to present the trophy.

Trini, who has been with Ginn Resorts for nearly five years, is currently battling Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She undergoes chemotherapy treatments every Friday.

“I followed the story of Kelly Jo and the Dowd family, and I completely understood the need for a mother to see her child live out a dream,” Trini said.

“I am thrilled I was able to represent Ginn Resorts and present this beautiful trophy recently renamed in Kelly Jo’s honor.”

The Ginn OPEN renamed its tournament trophy in memory of Kelly Jo Dowd, mother of Dakoda Dowd, the then 13-year-old who played in the 2006 Ginn OPEN on a sponsor’s exemption to fulfill her mother’s dying wish. Kelly Jo Dowd died of complications from breast cancer in 2007.

The 2008 Ginn OPEN will make a contribution to Making Memories and the KJ Koda Dowd Fund.

Final field boasts 71 LPGA tournament winners who have a combined record of 415 LPGA titles, including 55 major championships

REUNION, Fla., April 9, 2008 – This year’s Ginn OPEN will allow fans to see the rising stars of tomorrow and the current stars of today in a competitive atmosphere that will excite the senses. Young players such as Lorena Ochoa, Suzann Pettersen, and Paula Creamer are leading the field along with veterans Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb ... read more |  See the Field List

Annika Sorenstam swaps putts for pool

Golf star Annika Sorenstam traded in her golf club for a pool cue and faced off against billiards champion Sarah Ellerby in a friendly pool game during the 2008 Ginn OPEN^â.

While the No. 2 ranked golf star has a billiard’s table at home, she admitted that her table was dusty and her skills were rusty – especially against No. 7 ranked billiards pro Ellerby.

“This isn’t really my sport by any means, but I am competitive – doesn’t matter if it’s golf, pool or cards,” Sorenstam said. “I try to do the best I can.”

The champion athletes settled for a tie, each clinching one victory on the new state-of-the-art, custom-made billiards table at Ginn Reunion Resort.

Ellerby, known as Velvet in the billiards world, will make a series of special appearances at Reunion Resort throughout the year to teach members and guests basic pool fundamentals to raise their game.

Sorenstam, with more than 80 victories across the globe, operates the ANNIKA Academy, her 5,400 square-foot golf school, from Ginn Reunion Resort.

+ read the original press release
+ View photos from this special event

Fore The Love of Wine and Cheese;

Ginn OPEN fans invited to mingle with Annika Sorenstam, LPGA players

REUNION, Fla. (April 1, 2008) – Ginn OPEN^â fans will have the opportunity to mingle with some the biggest stars in women’s golf at a wine and cheese tasting event.

The inaugural Fore Love of Wine and Cheese event, presented by ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, invites fans to spend the evening with Annika Sorenstam and other LPGA players from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 18 at Ginn Reunion^â Resort.

Tickets are $99 and can be purchased on the Ticket page ... read more
 

Ochoa Wins Again;

No. 1-Ranked Player will Compete in the Ginn OPEN, April 17-20

REUNION, Fla., April 1, 2008 – Lorena Ochoa continues to dominate women’s golf. The 26-year old from Mexico won her 19th LPGA title at the Safeway International Presented by Coca-Cola this past weekend winning for the second time in 2008. Rolex No.1-ranked player, Ochoa, shot 65-67-68-66=266 (-22) to defend her first of eight victories she accumulated during the 2007 LPGA Tour season ... read more |  See the Field List

GOLF CHANNEL’S SPARKS ACCEPTS SPONSOR’S EXEMPTION TO PLAY GINN OPEN;

Following Two Back Surgeries, the Former Amateur Champion Gets Another Chance at the LPGA

REUNION, Fla., March 19, 2008 – Stephanie Sparks, Golf Channel personality, has accepted a sponsor’s exemption to the third-annual Ginn OPEN, April 14-20 at Ginn Reunion Resort. Sparks, who played on the LPGA in 2000, is an accomplished amateur champion.

“Having had the opportunity to get a taste of the LPGA in 2000 was definitely a lifelong dream come true for me,” said Sparks. “I am so appreciative to the people at Ginn for giving me this opportunity to play again on the Tour ... read more |  See the Field List
 

Ginn OPEN Field Highlighted by World's Top Players

The Ginn OPEN field consists of the top players in the world, including Lorena Ochoa, who is ranked No. 1 in the Rolex World Rankings and Annika Sorenstam, who is currently ranked second. Ochoa and Sorenstam are joined by No. 3 Suzann Pettersen, No. 4 Karrie Webb and No. 5 Paula Creamer.

Sorenstam, Ochoa and Creamer are already winners in the 2008 season, while Mi Hyun Kim (2006) and Brittany Lincicome (2007) will attempt to become two-time champions of the Ginn OPEN ... read more |  See the Field List

GINN OPEN PARTNERS WITH PODS CHAMPIONSHIP; FIRST TEE OF ST. PETERSBURG; Ginn OPEN partners for the first time with the PGA TOUR event in Palm Harbor, Fla., March 6-9

REUNION, Fla., Feb. 25, 2008 – The Ginn OPEN, April 17-20 at Ginn Reunion Resort, has announced its partnership with the PODS Championship PGA TOUR event, held at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla., March 6-9. The partnership is also in conjunction with The First Tee of St. Petersburg, which is supported by defending champion Brittany Lincicome... read more

Pods Championship website  |  First Tee of St. Petersburg website
 

GINN OPEN PARTNERS WITH CYPRESS GARDENS

The Ginn OPEN has partnered with Central Florida's oldest theme park, Cypress Gardens. The partnership will allow anyone attending the Ginn OPEN a free ticket into Cypress Gardens between April 19th and May 23rd. All attendees of the Ginn OPEN will have to hold onto their weekly badges or daily tickets and show them at the ticket window when they go to Cypress Gardens to receive their one free pass.

“This partnership provides both Cypress Gardens and the Ginn OPEN an excellent opportunity to cross market our offerings to our similar demographic audiences,” said Steve Baker, President and CEO of Baker Leisure Group, the park’s new management company. “We look forward to working with a solid partner like Ginn on this event and future opportunities.”
 

2008 Ginn Open Got Game Challenge Recap

Lindy Duncan outlasted Sookhee Baek on the second playoff hole of the inaugural Ginn OPEN Got Game Challenge at Ginn Reunion Resort. The sixteen year-old amateur from Plantation, Florida, drove her tee shot down the middle of the fairway and with her second shot placed the ball within 15 feet of the pin. Two shots later, Duncan tapped in for par to beat the professional from Bradenton, FL.  ... find out more about the Ginn OPEN Got Game Challenge  |  Final Results
 

2008 GINN OPEN PHOTOS

Photo Galleries

2008 GINN OPEN PAIRINGS

First | Second | Third | Final

NOTES & QUOTES
 

	Annika Sorenstam ● April 8
	Annika Sorenstam ● April 15
	Suzann Pettersen ● April 15
	Brittany Lincicome ● April 16
	Lorena Ochoa ● April 16
	First Round ● April 17
	Second Round ● April 18
	Third Round ● April 19
	Final Round ● April 20

RESULTS

	Second Round
	Third Round
	Final Results & Money