Month: February 2020

Feb. 11, 2020 –

Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give Seeks Record Number of Volunteers

Officials aim to secure 1,200 volunteers for weeklong tournament

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Volunteer registration for the 2020 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give is open, and tournament officials say they need more than 1,200 volunteers to ensure the weeklong tournament runs smoothly at Blythefield Country Club.

It’s the highest number of volunteers needed in the tournament’s 7-year tenure, and it’s double the number officials hoped for during the inaugural Meijer LPGA Classic held in 2014.

“The Meijer LPGA Classic has come a long way over the years, and it’s truly become a family event the entire community can enjoy, and one considered top notch on the LPGA Tour,” said Cathy Cooper, Executive Director of the Meijer LPGA Classic. “But it takes a village of fantastic volunteers to reach that level and ours are dedicated to the tournament’s continued success.”

The tournament is seeking more than 1,200 volunteers to fill roles on 28 different committees, ranging from marshals and standard bearers to transportation and assisting inside the media center. Descriptions of the volunteer opportunities and additional details can be found here.

The “Refer a Friend” program introduced last year is returning, which means all returning volunteers will be eligible for a $20 Meijer gift card when they refer a friend who did not volunteer during the 2019 tournament. The referred friend must work a minimum of three shifts for the returning volunteer to receive the gift card, which will be distributed after the tournament. There is a limit of one gift card per returning volunteer.

Volunteers are encouraged to register early since committees and shift times are filled on a first come, first served basis.

The volunteer fee is $55, and includes two official tournament golf shirts, one official tournament hat or visor, four weekly grounds passes for family or friends, and meals and beverages during scheduled shifts. The volunteer badge is valid as a grounds pass, as well as provides access to the tournament and parking for tournament week.

New this year for volunteers is the choice between a weekend Grand Taste ticket good Friday through Sunday, or Peter Millar outerwear.

The 2020 Meijer LPGA Classic will be held June 8-14 at Blythefield Country Club and will host a full field of 144 of the best women golfers for 72 holes of stroke play over four days of competition. Proceeds from the tournament – and each of the week’s festivities – will once again benefit the Meijer Simply Give program that stocks the shelves of food pantries across the Midwest. The 2019 tournament alone raised $1.1 million for local food pantries through Simply Give. In total, the six tournaments have generated more than $5.2 million for the Meijer Simply Give program.

To follow the Meijer LPGA Classic before, during and after tournament week, please post about your experience and share your pictures on social media using the hashtags #forehunger and #MeijerGives.

For more information on the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, please visit MeijerLPGAclassic.com.

To view a video featuring the 2019 Meijer LPGA Classic, please visit https://vimeo.com/390053795/98c4383411.

Jan. 31, 2020 –

Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give Touted as Best Tournament for Families and Foodies

2019 tournament won multiple Gold Driver Awards

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –The 2019 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give was recognized as the Most Family Friendly and Best “Foodie” Experience on Tour during the Gold Driver Awards held by the LPGA tournament partners.

“We are honored to receive these prestigious awards, which ultimately belong to the community,” Meijer President & CEO Rick Keyes said. “The Meijer LPGA Classic has grown to what it is today thanks to the tremendous community support. This recognition is a testament to the community, our volunteers and the significant amount of work we have put into this event over the past 6 year. We look forward to showcasing another premier event this year that supports our Simply Give program.”

The Gold Driver Awards are determined by a panel of three independent judges who utilize a point-based system to determine winners in 10 categories from the 33 LPGA Tour events.

The Most Family Friendly event is awarded to the tournament that best incorporated family-friendly elements through sponsors, events and ticket packages. The Meijer LPGA Classic took first place in this category for Discovery Land, the kids’ destination that doubled in size – to 4,300 square feet – to incorporate more toys and activities for young golf fans.

It was also recognized for the unprecedented addition of a Family Care Area, called The Kimberly Clark Family Care Area, for nursing mothers and parents to utilize during tournament week. It was the first time a tournament on the LPGA Tour added specific rooms for lactation use and diaper changing on the golf course.

The Best “Foodie” Experience is awarded to the event that showcases the best all-around food experience. The Grand Taste Experience is a one-of-a-kind three-day event for foodies, golf fans, families and music lovers. It incorporates the Grand Taste, which features dozens of local restaurants, breweries, Meijer vendors and food, and the Grand Taste Garden that lives across the fairway and features food, outdoor games and live music.

“The Grand Taste and the Discovery Land are events unlike anything else on tour. They draw families and foodies to the course to not only enjoy world class golf but an experience everyone can enjoy,” said Cathy Cooper, Executive Director of the Meijer LPGA Classic. “We are thankful to our partners who help us bring these ideas to life for the community.”

The 2020 Meijer LPGA Classic will be held June 8-14 at Blythefield Country Club and will host a full field of 144 of the best women golfers for 72 holes of stroke play over four days of competition. Proceeds from the tournament – and each of the week’s festivities – will once again benefit the Meijer Simply Give program that restocks the shelves of food pantries across the Midwest. The 2019 tournament alone raised $1.1 million for local food pantries through Simply Give. In total, the six tournaments have generated more than $5.2 million for the Meijer Simply Give program.

To follow the Meijer LPGA Classic before, during and after tournament week, please post about your experience and share your pictures on social media using the hashtags #forehunger and #MeijerGives.