SCGA Junior’s Elizabeth Wang to compete for spot in LPGA’s first major of 2016
March 17, 2016
The LPGA’s most iconic major championship, The ANA Inspiration, continued its tradition of inspiring ladies golf by naming SCGA Junior member Elizabeth Wang of Los Angeles as one of the elite junior golfers who will be given the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to earn a spot in golf’s first major of 2016, taking place from March 31 - April 3.
For the first time in the history of the ANA Junior Inspiration special invites have been extended to ten golfing hopefuls from across North America including Wang, who hails from San Marino High School. Wang has been selected to join a wider field of junior players at the newly named ANA Junior Inspiration on Monday, March 28 at Mission Hills CC. The lucky winner of the ANA Junior Inspiration will win the right to tee off in the first round of the 2016 ANA Inspiration alongside the greatest players in the world.
For the last four years the historic major championship offered the last place in the tournament starting field to the winner of an 18-hole competition featuring top junior golfers from California. However as part of its efforts to grow the future of women’s golf throughout the country and take the game to new heights, title sponsor ANA, working alongside the SCGA, have opened up the junior field to now include elite players from across North America.
Speaking on the news of her selection, Elizabeth Wang said, “Thank you for giving me such a great opportunity to play in the ANA Junior Inspiration. Thank you again and I’m looking forward to the competition in a few weeks.”
Wang represents Los Angeles as one of ANA’s gateway cities in the United States, a hub city from which the global leading airline flies from North America to Japan and onwards across Asia. In a special touch by tournament organizers defending champion of the ANA Inspiration Brittany Lincicome announced the names of the players selected at the tournament’s official launch held recently in Beverley Hills, California.
"We're pleased to once again be involved with the ANA Junior Inspiration," said Kevin Gigax, executive director of SCGA Junior. "We've seen the impact this event has had on young women, evidenced specifically in the growth and development of now-LPGA star Alison Lee since she won it as an SCGA Junior member back in 2012. We're thrilled that Elizabeth Wang, an active member of our program, has received a sponsor's exemption this year. She is a worthy candidate not only because of her strong golf resume, but also because of her value as a role model for other junior golfers in Southern California. Since first participating in the ANA Junior Inspiration as a 13 year old, Elizabeth has embraced the spirit of the event, and we are ecstatic to have her back again this year."
After sending Elizabeth a personal video message of congratulations, filmed alongside ANA’s ‘dream ticket’ from Los Angeles to Rancho Mirage, Brittany Lincicome said: “Congratulations to Elizabeth. There is quite simply nothing like this, no other major in men’s or women’s golf that offers such an opportunity. I’m sure she’ll love every moment.
“I’m really looking forward to going back to Mission Hills CC to defend my title and meet Elizabeth as part of new generation of brilliant young players from across the country. Who knows maybe Elizabeth will follow my footsteps and leap into Poppie’s Pond one day! I wish her the best of luck for the tournament.”
The special selections for the ANA Junior Inspiration were made by the ANA Inspiration tournament committee and junior golf associations connected with each North American ANA gateway city. These young women now have the opportunity to succeed 2015 ANA Champions Junior Challenge champion, 16-year-old Haley Moore of Escondido, Calif., who shot a 67 to win. Moore not only achieved the dream of many of these skilled juniors to play in an LPGA major championship, but also impressively made the cut in the ANA Inspiration and finished T67.
“We’re excited to give Elizabeth this opportunity and can’t wait to meet her at our tournament. Regardless of score or results for any of the players including Elizabeth we hope they are left inspired by the experience. Our goal when expanding the ANA Junior Inspiration to all of our North American gateway cities to create inspired memories for each of these elite junior golfers as they grow in their careers,” said Hideki Kunugi, Senior Vice President of the Americas, ANA. “In a year when athletes from all over the world will come together to celebrate the game of golf, we see the ANA Junior Inspiration as a great way to reach new audiences in our role as Official Airline of the LPGA and title sponsor of the ANA Inspiration and ANA Junior Inspiration.”
The announcement of the newly expanded and named ANA Junior Inspiration is just one in a series of many game-changing initiatives that ANA is introducing to the ANA Inspiration to help further the future of women’s golf. The official 2016 tournament launch also announced the first-ever ANA Inspiring Women in Sports Conference set to take place on Tuesday, March 29, overlooking the 18th Green and Poppie’s Pond of the famed Dinah Shore Tournament course.
Female sporting icons Missy Franklin, Annika Sorenstam, Lindsey Vonn, Abby Wambach and Kristi Yamaguchi will headline the inaugural conference, which will include a series of panels and discussions about the state of women’s sports, female athletes as role models, using sports as a platform to inspire women of all ages, and what it takes to be a champion. Swimmer Jessica Long will also share her inspiring story of overcoming a double leg amputation at 18 months old to become the one of the most decorated Paralympians in history.
Gabe Codding, ANA Inspiration Tournament Director said: “To picture Elizabeth, a future star of ladies golf sharing in the unique atmosphere of the ANA Inspiration while getting a taste of what major championship golf feels like and living her dream alongside some of the best players in the country is going to be very special. It could literally be life changing. These juniors will not only rub shoulders with the stars of the LPGA and past Champions but might also meet some of the greatest female athletes this country has ever produced who will attend the ANA Inspiring Women in Sport Conference.
“I’d like to thank the SCGA for instigating the opportunity for Elizabeth. In ANA we have a committed partner really believes in supporting the future of golf. The ANA Junior Inspiration is the brilliant result of bringing these two like-minded partners together and we can’t wait for the tournament to begin.”