ONEIDA, WI (WTAQ) – Local officials are getting excited as the LPGA Classic is set to return to Northeast Wisconsin for a third-straight year.
Thornberry Creek at Oneida will be the site of the tournament once again.
“For the first year, we had a $7.1 million economic impact to Northeast Wisconsin,” explains Tehassi Hill, Oneida National Tribal Chairman.
He says that figure went up around $400,000 last year and organizers are confident they’ll see it rise again this year.
He says, while the dollar figures are important, so is the exposure to those not in attendance.
“Being shown in 384-million homes across the world, not just the country, but across the world,” says Hill.
While it’s important to showcase the area to all those watching, he would recommend anyone to come out and actually experience the week if they can.
Hill says he was even blown away by the experience the first time.
“Being here in person and seeing it and being able to shake the players hands, get the autographs,” he explains. “They’re all really personable.”
The tournament starts on July 4th and runs thru July 7th.
“Once the grandstands are put up and all the signage, it’s amazing to see,” says Hill. “You start seeing all the players roll-in and you think, wow, this is happening.”
This year will feature a 144-player field competing for the $2 million purse.
Included in the field will be 2018 champion Sei Young Kim, from South Korea and 2017 champion Katherine Kirk, from Australia.
Both Kim and Kirk confirmed their intentions to compete in the tournament on Tuesday.
“Last year felt like such a blur,” explains Kim. “Everything just fell in to place that week and I hope to have another week like that again.”
While Kirk added that the course has become one of her favorites.
“Everyone at Oneida is so supportive and the fans really know how to get behind the players, even when you walk through town in your golf gear, people are shouting good luck,” she explains. “During my title defense, I could not believe how many people welcomed me back and that gave me a lot of confidence.”
More information can be found here.
