Kraft Heinz Pavilion Makes Meijer LPGA Classic Debut
By Brigette Ramirez
BELMONT, Mich. – The return of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give means another year of hospitality experiences unlike any other on the LPGA Tour. New this year at Blythefield Country Club is the introduction of the brand-new Kraft Heinz Pavilion.
The new ticketed hospitality experience is located between the 17th green and 18th tee, offering 360-degree views of the course and a front-row seat to all the action on holes 17 and 18.
The 6,000 square foot all-inclusive suite offers a variety of food and beverage options as well as tiered and lounge seating for optimal viewing of the on-course action, either live or on the televisions playing live updates from the course throughout the venue.
“Every year we want to make this tournament even bigger and better than ever and we thought it was a cool opportunity to add another really golf-oriented experience that is giving people not only another way to get food and drinks while they’re watching golf, but a really great view of the 18th tee and the 17th green from where they’re sitting,” said Erin Cataldo, external communications manager at Meijer, on what went into the decision to add another ticketed hospitality experience to the tournament this year.
The location of the Kraft Heinz Pavilion was selected due to its proximity to other on-course hospitality experiences J. Brewer’s | Frederik’s and Discovery Land and the unique opportunity for fans to be able to watch both players putting on the 17th green and teeing off on the 18th hole from the elevated pavilion.
In its first three days of operation, the Kraft Heinz Pavilion has already received overwhelmingly positive feedback, even being described as “the best view on the course.”
“It’s beautiful,” said Michael Graf, a Kraft Heinz Pavilion volunteer who’s volunteered at the Meijer LPGA Classic as a shuttle driver for the past two years. “I like how it’s extended. Tremendous food. I think it’s a great idea.”
The hospitality experience is open each round of tournament play, Thursday, June 12 through Sunday, June 15.
Daily tickets for the Kraft Heinz Pavilion are $40, offering an option for guests in between the $10 general admission tickets and $85 tickets to the tournament’s award-winning J. Brewer’s | Frederik’s hospitality experience overlooking the fourth fairway.
With capacity for 600 guests a day, the latest food and beverage experience at the Meijer LPGA Classic sold-out before round one of competition began on Thursday, and it seems for good reason.
“Everyone we’ve talked to loves it,” Cataldo said. “Everyone’s like, ‘Woah, this is so great. I can’t believe how well I can see the golfers. Up close and personal.’ The set up is really nice.”
It appears that the Kraft Heinz Pavilion is having a successful debut, and the Meijer LPGA Classic has created another Tour fan-favorite hospitality experience in Belmont.
