Beatriz Recari played in every one of the LPGA tour’s 27 official events last year. She’ll be playing more this year.
The LPGA tour on Monday will announce the addition of the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic to the 2013 schedule. The May 23-26 event, the first official appearance by the LPGA in the Bahamas, will be 72 holes of stroke play and carry a $1.3 million purse. It will be played at the Tom Weiskopf-designed Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas.
The announcement, the LPGA tour said, is the first in a series of new 2013 tournaments to be announced this week. Last year’s campaign had 27 official events for $47 million in total purses, and commissioner Michael Whan has said 2013 will feature at least that many tournaments with purses of at least $47 million. In 2010, there were 24 events for $41.4 million; in 2011, 23 for $42.5 million. Adding to the tour’s momentum, 2013 is also a Solheim Cup year, and the Evian Masters will be a major championship for the first time.
The season begins Feb. 14-17 at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.
“I’m getting prepared to play in everything again,” Recari told USA TODAY Sports in a phone call. “I cannot stay home. And going to the Bahamas will be great. I’m looking at our schedule so far and it looks like we won’t have more than two weeks off this year, which is great. We’re getting more opportunities to play more tournaments. Every year we’re growing.”
Pure Silk, a moisturizing shave cream for women, sponsors several players on the LPGA tour including 2012 Rolex Player of the Year Stacy Lewis, five-time LPGA winner Brittany Lincicome, Natalie Gulbis, Katherine Hull, Jeong Jang, Brittany Lang, Jill McGill, Lizette Salas and Jennifer Song.
“I think everyone on the LPGA is excited about going to the Bahamas, not only to play in a world-class tournament, but also to see the beautiful beaches and enjoy the island,” Lewis said in a release. “It’s also great to see a company like Pure Silk continue to increase their involvement with our Tour. Today’s announcement gives us some nice momentum heading into the New Year.”
By Steve DiMeglio
USA Today Sports
