Proud History at #NWAChampionship

June 15, 2016

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G and the University of Arkansas Women’s Golf team announced a partnership today to guarantee one student-athlete a sponsor’s exemption in the 2015 and the 2016 LPGA events. In addition, two qualifying spots will be reserved for the Razorback Women’s Golf team for the tournament’s qualifying event. The tournament is scheduled for June 20 – June 26 this year with the qualifier round taking place on Monday.

“Since the inaugural Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G in 2007, Razorback golfers have received a sponsorship exemption or Monday qualifier spots each year,” Tournament Director Harry Hardy said. “In 2015, we made the partnership official by working with the University of Arkansas coaching staff to implement criteria formalizing the process of selection for the sponsor’s exemption and qualifier spots. Our hope is to not only give female college athletes the chance to excel on a professional level, but also make the University of Arkansas a more desirable college to up-and-coming golfers.”

The criteria for selection include team rankings and academic standing for the golfers. The top-ranked University of Arkansas player as of May 1 will be eligible for the sponsor’s exemption. The qualified player must write an official letter requesting invitation and be in good academic standing with the University. The second and third best stroke averages from the team’s competitive season will have an opportunity to qualify on Monday for the official LPGA event.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for student-athletes at the University of Arkansas,” Arkansas head women’s golf coach Shauna Estes-Taylor said. “We are the only collegiate golf program in the country to have a guaranteed spot for their players in a professional tournament such as the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G.”

The tournament’s title sponsor, Walmart, has supported the initiative as women’s empowerment is a key effort for the company.

Each year, the tournament has the opportunity to give out two sponsor’s exemptions. Past exemptions have included Stacy Lewis in 2007, when she played as an incoming senior at the University of Arkansas and unofficially won the event, which was shortened due to rain. In addition, former University of Arkansas golfer Emily Tubert has played in the event twice as a sponsor’s exemption. In 2014, Tubert made her professional debut at the tournament.

The tournament has partnered with KNWA & Fox 24 to keep fans updated on the Road to #NWAChampionship. Viewers can tune in to Razorback Nation to find out who is leading the race throughout the spring season and follow the University of Arkansas Women’s Golf team on its quest to compete in the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. Updates on the Razorback Women’s Golf team are also available at www.ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G has become a premier stop on the LPGA Tour. On June 20-26, the world’s best LPGA professionals will tee it up at Pinnacle Country Club competing for a $2 million purse and a chance to be named tournament champion. For more information on the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, please visit www.nwachampionship.com.

Quick Facts
Location: Pinnacle Country Club; Rogers, Ark.
Coverage: The Golf Channel
Tickets: $25 daily/$50 wk
Purse: $2 million
1st place $300,000
Inaugural Event 2007 | Unoff. winner Stacy Lewis*
*Event was rained out/not completed