The “Caitlin Clark Effect” is heading to the LPGA Tour.
Clark, the newly minted WNBA Rookie of the Year, has played a huge role in the rising popularity of women’s basketball, and women’s sports as a whole, during her record-breaking college career at the University of Iowa. The Iowa native won national player of the year honors twice on her way to becoming the NCAA Division I all-time leading points scorer.
The WNBA Finals are set to begin this week, but Clark and the Indiana Fever got knocked out in the first round by the Connecticut Sun. Clark, an avid golfer, had previously said she would spend a lot of time on the golf course in the offseason.
By Mid-November, the weather might be too cold for golf in Indiana, but there’s a good chance there will be perfect golf weather at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla., where Clark will tee it up at The Annika LPGA event.
On Monday, the LPGA announced that Clark would take part in the Wednesday pro-am at The Annika, hosted by LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam, set to take place Nov. 13. Clark is a brand ambassador for Gainbridge, which is the presenting sponsor of The Annika.
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“I love golf so the opportunity to play in the pro-am for a tournament with a legend like Annika Sorenstam’s name on it is so exciting,” Clark said in a press release. “Gainbridge is a leader in supporting women’s sports and that’s clear through their commitment to me, this event, Billie Jean King, and Parity Week. I’m looking forward to seeing all the LPGA players on the driving range, being part of the Women’s Leadership Summit, and, of course, teeing it up in the pro-am with Annika.”
Sorenstam also expressed her excitement at Clark’s involvement in the tournament she hosts.
“I have been following Caitlin’s career during college and now on the WNBA stage, and what she is doing to bring attention to women’s sports both on and off the court is outstanding,” Sorenstam said in the release. “I’m excited to meet Caitlin and for her to join us at Pelican Golf Club in November in what will be an exciting week for women’s sports.”
But that’s not all Clark will be up to at The Annika. She will also be a panelist at the Women’s Leadership Summit taking place the night before the pro-am.
Clark does have some experience playing in pro golf events. In 2023, she participated in the pro-am at the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic, playing alongside fellow Iowan Zach Johnson.
