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 PLAYERS TO WATCH Defending champion Annika Sorenstam will be shooting for her fourth Nabisco title. Last year she beat Rosie Jones by eight shots with three of four rounds in the 60s. Sorenstam has been the dominant force in women’s golf for a while now, and she always gears up for the majors. Paula Creamer got a late start on the LPGA Tour last year. After all, she wanted to finish high school first. She still earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2005 and made more than $1 million. Older and wiser than her first appearance as an amateur at the age of 13, Michelle Wie is playing in the Nabisco for the first time as a professional. Now a 16-year-old multi-millionaire, Wie was invited to play on a special exemption. She has done well in the event in the past, finishing tied for ninth in 2003, fourth in ’04, and tied for 14th in ’05. Coming off a great 2005, Morgan Pressel is looking to make a name for herself on tour. After finishing tied for sixth at Q-School, she was granted a special exemption to be a member of the LPGA at 17. In last year’s event she finished tied for 19th as an amateur, won the U.S. Women’s Amateur and was runner-up in the U.S. Women’s Open. Sophie Gustafson is a long hitter on the LPGA Tour with a driving average of 269.2 yards. She can definitely have some fun on the par-5s at Mission Hills and maybe take a shot at reaching the famous 18th hole in two. With a scoring average of 70.86, Cristie Kerr finished 2005 just behind Sorenstam for best scoring average. She is solid and a consistent force on the LPGA Tour, winning twice and finishing third on the money list last year. With all the youngsters, don’t overlook 45-year-old Julie Inkster, who won the Nabisco in 1984 as a rookie. She won the event again in 1989. Experience always seems to be near the top in major championships. A NEW VIEW Looking to be more fan-friendly this year, tournament organizers will have a pavilion overlooking the 18th green of the Dinah Shore Tournament Course. The Kraft Pavilion will offer seating, food, beverage service and clubhouse parking. Open Thursday-Sunday of tournament week, tickets for the pavilion must be purchased in advance. They are $99 per day for Thursday and Friday and $135 per day for Saturday and Sunday. A week pass is available for $399. A HANDY DEVICE A hand-held device offering real-time golf action and scoring will be available on the grounds this year. Spectators can create a leaderboard with their favorite players and track who is making a move regardless of the group they’re following. The device also shows where concession stands are located and offers information on the tournament and players. The electronic gadgets will be available for $12 per day Thursday through Sunday of tournament week. TICKETS Advance tickets are available through March 15 by calling the tournament office at (760) 324-4546 or visiting www.kncgolf.com. Tickets ordered after March 15 will be left at the will-call booth in the general admission parking area. Advance daily grounds tickets are $15 ($20 at the gate). Clubhouse and grounds badges for tournament week are $70 per badge ($75 at the gate). Big West Championships The Big West Women’s Golf Champ-ionships will be held April 24-25 at Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita. UC Irvine won the event in 2005 with all five of its players finishing in the top 10. Idaho’s Renee Skidmore earned medalist honors. Inland Empire Women’s Amateur Championship Eve Clayton of San Bernardino won the inaugural Inland Empire Ladies Golf Champ-ionship in January at San Bernardino and Moreno Valley Ranch golf clubs. The flights were named in honor of past club champions from the area, including Auda Stearns, Emogene Anthony and Mabell Van Horn. “Both courses pulled out the stops for us and ran a terrific event,” said Clayton, who defeated Judi Tucker of Yucaipa by two shots. The second Inland Empire Ladies Golf Championship is set for September 25-26. |
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