LPGA Announces Four Year Extension of Kingsmill Championship
The LPGA and Xanterra have announced a four-year extension of the Kingsmill Championship that will bring the event back to Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va. through the 2017 season.
The 10th staging of the Kingsmill Championship will be held May 15-18, 2014 with players competing for a $1.3 million purse. Kingsmill Resort is owned by Xanterra Parks & Resorts® affiliate Xanterra Kingsmill, LLC, a sister company of Anschutz Entertainment Group and a subsidiary of Anschutz Company.
“Everything about Kingsmill is top-notch — from the incredible resort, to the championship River Course venue, to the way they treat both the players and fans,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan. “I’m so excited about our long-term partnership, as it ensures that we’ll continue this wonderful tradition of showcasing the best golfers in the world, at one of the best golf resorts in the world.”
Xanterra acquired Kingsmill Resort from Busch Properties, Inc. on August 1, 2010. Xanterra recently completed a $6 million renovation of the resort, including a new resort pool complex and renovations to the marina restaurant and other resort facilities. The resort is a AAA Four‐ Diamond resort and member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide ‐ a global association of the world’s finest independent luxury hotels.
“We are very excited to continue our partnership with the LPGA at Kingsmill,” said Andrew Todd, President and CEO of Xanterra Parks and Resorts. “This is the 32nd year of professional golf at Kingsmill, and Xanterra is proud to be a part of this prestigious tournament. We are thankful to the sponsors, volunteers, spectators, and LPGA players who continue to support this tradition at Kingsmill, and make it a truly great event.”
The River Course at Kingsmill Resort previously hosted the LPGA’s Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill from 2003 to 2009. The event produced acclaimed winners including LPGA and World Golf Halls of Famers Se Ri Pak (2004), Karrie Webb (2006), Annika Sorenstam (2008) and major champions Grace Park (2003), Cristie Kerr (2005, 2009) and Suzann Pettersen (2007).
After a two-year hiatus, the LPGA Tour returned to Williamsburg in 2012 for the newly-named Kingsmill Championship where South Korea’s Jiyai Shin outlasted American Paula Creamer in an epic nine-hole playoff for her ninth-career LPGA Tour victory. In 2013, Cristie Kerr etched her name on the list of victors for the third time when she defeated Suzann Pettersen in a two-hole, sudden-death playoff.
Kingsmill Resort offers 422 guest rooms and suites, a 19,000‐square‐foot IACC certified conference center, three Championship Golf Courses, six restaurants; a European style spa, indoor/outdoor pools, a Sports center and full service marina. Kingsmill Resort is located off I‐64 between Richmond and Norfolk and within close proximity to Williamsburg’s numerous destinations including Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, The College of William & Mary, Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center.