NCAA to present new Annika Award to top woman in Division I golf

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- The Annika Award will be presented to the top NCAA Division I women's player, starting next year.

''I'm thrilled to be able to have my name on this,'' Annika Sorenstam said Tuesday.

The Annika Foundation and the Haskins Commission announced the award at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. The Haskins Commission also presents the Haskins Award, named in honor of late Country Club of Columbus (Ga.) teaching professional Fred Haskins, to the top men's college player.

Sorenstam, the Swede who starred at the University of Arizona before her Hall of Fame LPGA Tour career, and Golfweek magazine also are completing plans for a women's college tournament that will begin play next year in the Orlando, Fla., area.

''College golf meant a lot to me and helped get my career going in the right direction and my foundation provides playing opportunities globally to juniors who are passionate about the game,'' Sorenstam said. ''Therefore, creating a first-class invitational tournament for the best women's teams to kick off the college golf season is a natural progression.''