The opening event of the 2016 LPGA season is the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, held each year on the gorgeous Tom Weiskopf designed course, Ocean Club Estates, Paradise Island, Bahamas. Offering a purse of $1.4 million, this annual event features the top female golfers in the world, including Sei Young Kim, last years winner. Local lady Georgette Rolle will also be competing as the winner of the Bahamas exemption into the 2016 tournament. Georgette made her LPGA debut in the inaugural Pure Silk-Bahamas event in 2013.
Professional Golf in Paradise
The event will be featured live on the Golf Channel, beginning Thursday, January 28th, culminating with the final two rounds on Sunday.
The weather forecast for the duration of the event looks good, with a small chance of rain on Thursday. The very first event, held in May 2013, was a shortened 36 hole version, due to heavy rains and flooding. That is the reason the event is now played in the drier month of January! Ilhee Lee won the contest that year.
Why Ocean Club Estates?
The fact that the LPGA has chosen to return to Paradise Island is due to many things. Obviously the beautiful surroundings, gorgeous ocean views, and (usually!) sunny skies and warm breezes. Also, Atlantis Resort and Casino are great host as are The Islands of The Bahamas. In addition, Nassau/Paradise Island is easy to get to, with direct flights from many USA cities, Europe and Canada.
The Ocean Club course is an 18 hole, par 72 championship course, and it’s location on the tip of Paradise Island can provide players with challenging cross winds and sea breezes. Surrounding the course are the stunning, luxury homes of the Ocean Club Estates community, and many of the Ocean Club Residences owners are avid golfers, as too are many Reef condo owners.
As he does every year, our very own Dave McCorquodale, himself an eager golfer, is a course volunteer. Dave is right at home on Paradise Island, having sold probably more Reef units than any other realtor! This year he will be a walking scorer, a very important position. He will be assigned to a group of players and will then use a digital device to track shots, scores etc. Have a great weekend Dave and good luck to all the ladies competing, especially our own Georgette Rolle!
Dave McCorquodale, BRI, Broker
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