Lopez
& Jones Will Defend Title
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Albers
& Active LPGA Tour
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By
Sherrin Smyers
Last year’s event had a record crowd nearing 4,000, making it the largest single day golf event in the state’s history. Spectators were treated to an exciting match that was tied after 18 holes and won in a chip-off when Lopez chipped to within a foot at the 18th hole. This year’s event
promises to be just as exciting as some of the greatest names in women’s
golf battle it out in a two-team, better ball 18-hole match format.
Defending
champions Lopez and Jones (Team Sierra Red) will compete against El Paso
resident and UNM graduate Kristi Albers and rising young Canadian star and
New Mexico State University graduate Alena Sharp (Team Zia Gold).
“We
are proud to partner with the State to bring this exciting professional
golf event back to Sierra County,” said Jack Whitt, CEO of Turtleback
Mountain Resort. “As a result of the tremendous coverage that last
year’s shootout received, people across the country and around the world
saw that New Mexico has a great golfing tradition and is rapidly gaining
widespread attention as an excellent place to live and retire.” Shootout
spectators will also have an opportunity to test their skill and compete
for their own sizeable purse in the $10,000 Putting Contest. Qualifying
for a chance to putt for the big prize will take place prior to the high
noon Shootout. At the completion of play, qualifiers’ names will be
drawn to putt for $10,000 on the 18th green. Sierra
del Rio was recognized by Golf Digest as one of America’s best remodeled
courses in 2007. “Our
goal in hosting the Shootout is to promote New Mexico as a great state for
golf,” said Guy Wimberly, Director of Golf. “There are many well-known
courses in the state, but also many that are not so well known. We want
both residents and visitors to learn about everything New Mexico has to
offer the golf enthusiast.” Gates
open at 9 a.m., and the clinic takes place at 11 a.m. The Shootout begins
at high noon. Entertainment will follow play; food and beverages will be
available throughout the day. Shootout
proceeds will support Sierra Vista Hospital in TorC. The hospital has
recently begun a capital campaign aimed at raising $15 million to build a
new facility that will provide up-to-date health care and state-of-the art
medical technology for Sierra County’s growing population, as well as
visitors. Sponsorships
and VIP packages are available. Additional Shootout details are online at
www.newmexicoshootout.com. Tickets are $25 each, with children under 13
admitted free. They may be ordered online or by mail and are also
available at selected golf course pro shops around the state. For
more information, visit the Shootout website or call 575.744.5135. |
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The
second annual New Mexico Shootout is presented and sponsored in part by
the New Mexico Tourism Department. This year’s Shootout will feature
four premiere members of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, all of
whom have close ties to New Mexico.
World
Golf Hall of Fame golfer Kathy Whitworth, winner of more tournaments than
any other male or female professional golfer in history, will once again
host the Shootout Clinic. Always a crowd favorite, Whitworth will share
her knowledge to golfers of all ages and skill levels.