Events
Golf’s Greatest Female Players Returning to The Woodlands for Insperity Invitational
THE WOODLANDS, TX– Four lady legends of golf, Annika Sorenstam, Juli Inkster, Nancy Lopez, and Pat Bradley will partner up with the Golden Bear, Black Knight and Merry Mex along with nine other of the game’s best for the the 3M Greats of Golf Competition on May 4, 2019 in The Woodlands – an annual tradition held in conjunction with the Insperity Invitational presented by UnitedHealthcare.
Golf’s greats have been coming to The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course for a special Saturday competition for the last seven years. In 2018 the greatest women’s player of all time, Annika Sorenstam, made the trip to The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course where she teed it up alongside Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Annika will not only be coming back in 2019, she will be bringing three other women from the World Golf Hall of Fame with her: Juli Inkster, Nancy Lopez and Pat Bradley.
“It was a dream come true for me last year to be able to play with Jack and Gary. I was very, very honored and thrilled at the same time so I’m excited to be able to come back,” said Annika. “The Insperity Invitational has done such a great job recognizing the careers of many of the greatest to play the game, which has rekindled memories for the spectators and all of us as well. I’m so happy to be able to help celebrate the women’s game by having Nancy, Juli, and Pat, who I looked up to throughout my career, with us this year.”
The four women have combined to win 186 times on the LPGA TOUR including 26 major titles.
Annika leads the way with 72 LPGA victories, including 10 major championships and was the LPGA TOUR player of the year eight times before retiring in 2008. Nancy Lopez racked up 48 wins on the TOUR and three major titles. With seven major victories, Juli Inkster is the only player in LPGA TOUR history to win two majors in a decade for three straight decades. Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000, Inkster won 31 times on TOUR. Pat Bradley was welcomed into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1991 – capping off a season where she won her second Player of the Year title. Bradley won 35 times on the women’s TOUR including six major titles.
“I think it is wonderful we have added four women professional players this year. I have watched a lot of women’s golf over the last five years and I have been so impressed,” said Gary Player. “When you play with them it is quite a shock. I was unaware of how well they play. They all play such beautiful golf. I think this is a tremendous treat for the spectators, and especially the young girls who will be inspired by watching them play.”
Annika will be paired up with Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Lee Trevino. Pat Bradley will tee it up with Tom Weiskopf, David Graham and Tony Jacklin. Nancy Lopez will join forces with Dave Stockton, Larry Nelson and Hale Irwin, while Juli Inkster will team up with Fuzzy Zoeller, Ben Crenshaw and Bill Rogers.
The 16-pack of golf’s women and men’s legends includes 12 World Golf Hall of Fame members. In addition to the women winning more than 186 times on the LPGA TOUR and 26 major championships, the dozen men who will come together in Southern Texas have amassed 182 PGA TOUR titles, 51 major victories and 119 wins on the PGA TOUR Champions.
“Not only is this a group of great golfers, they are incredible people and special role models for all of us. Reuniting these extraordinary ambassadors of our game has become a staple of tournament week for us. They provide hours of entertainment and a lifetime of memories for our fans each year,” said Naugle. “I think it is a highlight of the year, not only for all of us, but also for these great players who get to have a fun competition with their friends.”
The 3M Greats of Golf will tee off following the last tee time of the Saturday’s official second round of the Insperity Invitational at approximately 12:30 p.m. The 16 players will be grouped in foursomes and will play an 18-hole scramble format. Admission to the tournament is free on Saturday courtesy of Woodforest National Bank.
The Insperity Invitational offers free grounds only admission tickets courtesy of Insperity, and Woodforest National Bank. The grounds ticket also includes free parking and shuttle service. General public parking will be at Woodforest Bank Stadium located at 19115 David Memorial Dr, Shenandoah, TX 77385. For updated information on all aspects of the Insperity Invitational, fans are encouraged to visit www.insperityinvitational.com.
A PGA TOUR Champions event, the Insperity Invitational presented by UnitedHealthcare features the world’s premier golfers age 50 and older. Last year’s tournament winner, Bernhard Langer, will be returning to the Insperity Invitational to defend his title April 29-May 5, 2019.
Bernhard Langer, 2018 Insperity Invitational Champion.
Managed and operated by Pro Links Sports, in 2008, the tournament received the prestigious Presidents Award as the best event on the Champions Tour, and in 2011 received the President’s Award for Excellence in Achievement. In 2012 and 2015, the tournament received The Players Award for having the “best of everything” for the players, sponsors and spectators.
Interfaith of The Woodlands, one of the local charities benefitting from the tournament, was named the 2016 PGA TOUR Champions Charity of the Year.
The Insperity Invitational is grateful to have support from these official corporate partners: Woodforest National Bank, 3M, United Airlines, Northside Imports Houston – Alfa Romeo, Keurig Dr Pepper, Bai, National Car Rental, Sports Radio 610, 9 Iron Wines, Houston Chronicle, Texas Sports Nation and Vander Dys Fine Jewelers. Past champions include Larry Nelson, Jay Haas, Mark McNulty, four-time winner Bernhard Langer, John Cook, Fred Couples, Brad Faxon, Fred Funk, Esteban Toledo, Ian Woosnam and John Daly. For more information about the Tradition of Excellence at the Insperity Invitational, visit www.insperityinvitational.com.
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