Summar Roachell (middle) joins in on cheering on her U.S. teammates at the 2011 PING Junior Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle in County Meath, Ireland. (Getty Images, Andy Lyons)

ROGERS, AR (MAY 8, 2012) – The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G has been a proving ground for many of the world’s best female golfers, and now a trio of young, talented players have been added to the LPGA event headed to Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, June 25- July 1. University of Arkansas Razorback Emily Tubert and LPGA professional Nicole Hage both received sponsor’s exemptions into the tournament field, while nationally-ranked amateur and Conway High junior, Summar Roachell earned an invitation into the qualifier being held on Monday of tournament week.

“We have been very impressed by Emily and Summar over the course of their seasons so far and we’re thrilled to extend opportunities to them,” said Tournament Director David Shoemaker. “Collectively, they showcase some of the premier talent in the area and now the community and fans have even more great players to be excited about.”

Tubert will return to the championship field for the second-straight year following another successful season in the cardinal red and white. The Razorbacks placed second in last week’s Southeastern Conference Championship where Tubert’s individual performance saw her finish third and earn SEC First Team honors.

Collegiate golf talent will also be apparent in sponsor exempt Hage, an LPGA professional who also has SEC First Team and Player of the Year selections to her credit. Hage competed for the University of Auburn and collected POY honors in 2004 while also being named SEC Freshman of the Year.  Last month Hage played at the Tour’s stop in Birmingham, AL, the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic.

While college golf is still a year away for Roachell, a junior at Conway High School, the rising talent has already seen much success at the amateur level.  Most recently she was selected by Meg Mallon as one of two captain’s picks to the U.S. PING Junior Solheim Team. The Solheim Cup is held every two years with the best players in the country competing against Team Europe on both junior and senior levels. Roachell’s consistent play down the stretch helped the U.S. retain the title, the first junior team to do so on foreign soil.

“It was just a great feeling; it’s been a dream of mine and just to be given a chance to be a part of it, it just feels really good,” said Roachell upon learning about the invitation. “It’s not every day you get to play on a professional level; a lot of people at a young age don’t get that chance so for me it’s just really big.”      

The world’s No. 1 ranked player and two-time defending champion Yani Tseng will join a host of other LPGA favorites including former Razorback Stacy Lewis, Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome.

Tickets are on sale at www.nwachampionship.com, or by calling (479) 715-6100. Daily tickets are $25, valid any one day, Friday, June 29 – Sunday, July 1.  Weekly grounds passes, valid all week, can be purchased for $50. Admission is free to the public Monday, June 25 – Thursday, June 28. Children 17 years old and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult.

ROGERS, AR (MAY 1, 2012) – Over 100 volunteers are needed for the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, the official LPGA Tour stop headed to Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers June 25- July 1. Golf knowledge is not required and those who register now will receive an exclusive offer from Callaway Golf.

“The world’s best female golfers will be playing and anyone interested in seeing these players and a first-class tournament experience from behind the scenes are encouraged to volunteer,” said Tournament Director David Shoemaker. “Every year our tournament receives high praise from the Tour and it goes without saying this couldn’t be done without our volunteers, many of whom come back year after because of the enjoyable experiences they’ve had.”

The volunteer fee is $45 and includes two Callaway Golf shirts and headwear featuring the tournament logos, a volunteer badge valid for week-long tournament access and parking, four weekly grounds tickets for guests of the volunteer’s choice, an invitation to the annual volunteer appreciation party, and meals and beverages during assigned shifts. Employees from Walmart and P&G, as well as Pinnacle Country Club members are eligible for a discounted registration fee with the supplied promotional code from their respective employer or club.

In addition to the benefits of volunteering, those who register now can receive an exclusive discount from Callaway Golf of 20% off their entire purchase at CallawayGolf.com.

Tickets are on sale at www.nwachampionship.com, or by calling (479) 715-6100. Daily tickets are $25, valid any one day, Friday, June 29 – Sunday, July 1.  Weekly grounds passes, valid all week, can be purchased for $50. Admission is free to the public Monday, June 25 – Thursday, June 28. Children 17 years old and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult.
 

(APRIL 30, 2012) - Stacy Lewis edged Lexi Thompson by one stroke to capture her second LPGA Tour victory at the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic on Sunday. Read more here:

IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE with STACY LEWIS

Mobile Bay LPGA Classic
April 29, 2012

Hometown/Current residence – The Woodlands, Texas/Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Birthdate – February 16, 1985– currently 27 years, 2 months, and 13 days
Qualified for LPGA Tour – Earned medalist honors at 2008 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament
Turned Professional – June 2008

2nd career LPGA victory…2011 Kraft Nabisco Championship, 2012 Mobile Bay LPGA Classic

Earns 30 points toward the Rolex Player of the Year race, increasing total to 63 points and moving to third place

First victory in four appearances in Mobile; previous best finish was fifth place at last year’s event at Magnolia Grove’s Crossings Course

With the $187,500 first-place check…Increases career earnings to $2,657,780 and increases season earnings to $436,746 – fourth on the 2012 LPGA Official Money List

5th top-10 finish in 8 events played in 2012

Previous top-10 finishes in 2012 include a tie for 2nd at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, a tie for 5th at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2012, a tie for 10th at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup and a tie for 4th at the Kraft Nabisco Championship

6th different winner on the LPGA Tour in 2012 – Yani Tseng (3), Jessica Korda, Angela Stanford, Sun Young Yoo, and Ai Miyazato

Currently sits at No. 9 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings

IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE with AI MIYAZATO

LPGA LOTTE Championship Presented by J Golf
April 21, 2012

Hometown/Birthplace – Okinawa, Japan
Birthdate – June 19, 1985 – currently 26 years, 9 months, 2 days
Qualified for LPGA Tour – 1st at the 2005 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament
Turned Professional – January 2006

8th career LPGA victory… 2009 Evian Masters Presented by Societe Generale. 2010 Honda PTT LPGA Thailand, HSBC Women's Champions, Tres Marias Championship, ShopRite LPGA Classic, Safeway Classic Presented by Coca-Cola. 2011 Evian Masters Presented by Societe Generale 2012 LPGA LOTTE Championship Presented by J Golf

Other worldwide wins – Japan LPGA (JLPGA): 15

5th top-10 finish in 6 events played in 2012

With the $255,000 first-place check…Increases career earnings to $6,343,312 – remains 23rd on the LPGA Career Money List… Increases season earnings to $629,783 – second on the 2012 LPGA Official Money List

5th season with at least one victory

5th different winner on 2012 LPGA Tour – Yani Tseng (3), Jessica Korda, Angela Stanford, Sun Young Yoo

Earns 30 points toward the Rolex Player of the Year race, increasing total to 65 points and remaining in third place

First victory in Hawaii in 9 appearances – previous Hawaiian best finish was a tie for 3rd at the 2007 Fields Open at Ko Olina Golf Club

Currently No. 8 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings
 

ROGERS, AR (APRIL 9, 2012) – Tickets are now on sale for Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. The official LPGA Tour event will return to Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers June 25- July 1 and bring the world’s best female golfers to Northwest Arkansas. In a first-ever for the tournament, anyone who purchases a ticket online over the next two weeks will be entered in a drawing to win four Malibu Party Deck VIP hospitality tickets to the final round on Sunday, July 1. The winners will be announced on the tournament website on Monday, April 23.

Tickets are on sale at www.nwachampionship.com, or by calling (479) 715-6100. Daily tickets are $25, valid any one day, Friday, June 29 – Sunday, July 1.  Weekly grounds passes, valid all week, can be purchased for $50. Admission is free to the public Monday, June 25 – Thursday, June 28. Children 17 years old and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult.
           
For more tournament information visit www.nwachampionship.com,
Facebook.com/NWAChampionship
Twitter @NWAChampionship

UPDATE 4/23/12:

Congrats to David Price who won four Malibu Party Deck VIP hospitality tickets to Sunday's final round!

IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE with SUN YOUNG YOO

Kraft Nabisco Championship
April 1, 2012

Hometown/Current residence – Seoul, South Korea/Orlando, Fla.
Birthdate – December 13, 1986 – currently 25 years, 3 months, 18 days
Qualified for LPGA Tour – Finished 5th on the 2005 Symetra Tour season-ending money list to earn exempt status for the 2006 LPGA season
Turned Professional – November 2004

2nd career LPGA victory; became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2010 Sybase Match Play Championship

Becomes the second South Korean to win the Kraft Nabisco Championship, joining Grace Park (2004)

With this win, surpasses the $3 million LPGA career earnings mark and increases her total to $3,287,913

Earned 30 points toward the Rolex Player of the Year race with her victory, bringing her to 42 points for the year. She also earned $300,000 with her win and her season earnings are now $488,987

Previously recorded 23 top-10 finishes, including two runner-up finishes at the 2009 P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship presented by John Q. Hammons and this season at the 2012 Kia Classic

Projected to jump from No. 21 to 16 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings

Qualified last week for the season-ending CME Group Titleholders and will represent the Kia Classic
 

(NWA DEAL PIGGY) – Limited Time Only! Purchase a $25 Weekly Ticket to Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G from our friends at NWA Deal Piggy!

Don't miss the best female golfers in the world compete at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, Monday, June  25 – Sunday, July 1 at the only LPGA Tour event in Arkansas at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers.

LPGA Tour favorites Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Morgan Pressel, Yani Tseng and others will battle for a share of the $2 million purse ($300,000 champion) over three-days in a 54-hole stroke nationally televised competition.

And there's more… your ticket stub from NWA Deal Piggy is good for a 20% discount to Ruth's Chris Steak House in Rogers!
 

IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE with YANI TSENG

Kia Classic

March 25, 2012

Hometown/Current residence – Taoyuan, Taiwan/Orlando, Florida

Birthdate – Jan. 23, 1989 – currently 23 years, 2 months, 2 days

Qualified for LPGA Tour – 6th at 2007 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament

Turned Professional – January 2007

15th career LPGA victory

2008: McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola.

2009: LPGA Corning Classic.

2010: Kraft Nabisco Championship, RICOH Women's British Open, P&G NW Arkansas Championship Presented by Walmart.

2011: Honda LPGA Thailand, LPGA State Farm Classic, Wegmans LPGA Championship, RICOH Women's British Open, Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G, LPGA HanaBank Championship, Sunrise LPGA Taiwan Championship

2012: Honda LPGA Thailand, RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup, Kia Classic

Increased LPGA career earnings to $8,333,269 – moves to 13th on the LPGA Career Money List

3rd win in five starts this year and 6th win in last 12 starts dating back to Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in September 2011

Earned her 23rd point toward the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame – needs four more points to qualify and 10 years of LPGA service

15 LPGA wins ties Sally Little on the LPGA All-Time Wins List.

Maintains her lead in the Rolex Player of the Year race (99 points) and 2012 LPGA Official Money List with $792,286

Wins by other LPGA greats at Yani’s age (23 years, 2 months, 2 days):

Player                             Wins by Yani’s age                  Career Wins

Kathy Whitworth                      2 wins                                 88 wins (1st on All-Time Career Win List)

Mickey Wright                           5 wins                                82 wins (2nd)

Annika Sorenstam                  0 wins                                72 wins (3rd)

Nancy Lopez                            17 wins                              48 wins (7th)

Karrie Webb                              8 wins                               38 wins (11th)

Lorena Ochoa                          2 wins                                27 wins (19th)

Se Ri Pak                                  8 wins                                25 wins (23rd)                

Tiger Pace?

Age when Tiger reached 15th career victory: 23 years, 10 months, 7 days (The 1999 WGC-American Express Championship)

Marks the 7th time in Tseng’s career that she’s captured a victory after leading or co-leading heading into the final round. After going 0-for-4 to start her career in 2008 and 2009, she’s now 7-for-8 with her only loss coming at last year’s Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Here's a quick look back at last year's final day: