LPGA goes to paradise

 In keeping with its trend of adding new events in overseas markets, LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan announced on Monday that the newest women’s professional event will be held on Paradise Island, Bahamas. 

The newly minted and as yet unnamed event will be sponsored by Pure Silk and will be played May 23-26 on the Ocean Club Golf Course at the Atlantis Resort.  The tour is also expected to announce a new event in Beijing, bringing the Asian event schedule up to five.

On its face, the Bahamas event has tremendous potential. Going up against the Crowne Plaza Invitation at Colonial, it should gain significant television viewership if, for no other reason, people’s fascination with Atlantis and Paradise Island.

Pure Silk is also making a big push in LPGA sponsorship. The ladies’ shaving cream maker just signed on to be an official sponsor of the LPGA and they already sponsor nine tour players, including: Brittany Lincicome, Jennifer Song, Jeong Jang, Jill McGill, Brittany Lang, Natalie Gulbis, Katherine Hull, Lizette Salas, and 2012 Player of the Year Stacy Lewis. 

Simply having a Lewis, Lincicome, Song, Lang, and Gulbis in the field will ensure a solid kick-start to this one.