NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The first edition of The Bahamas White Sands Golf series kicks off this weekend at the Atlantis Resort.
The tournament, which replaces the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Pure Silk Classic, which enjoyed a six-year run at the Ocean Club Golf Course. In conjunction with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Atlantis and the Golf Channel, the White Sands series will also be hosted at Ocean Club. It starts with the LPGA Pro-Am weekend January 31- February 4, highlighted by a one-day pro-am on February 2. In addition to a $10,000 purse, players will compete in a $5,000 winner-takes-all skills challenge.
“The Bahamas is unquestionably one of the finest destinations in the world for a variety of reasons, including the pursuit of leisure activities, and golf in the Bahamas should be high on anyone’s list,” said Jeff Raedle, president of Global Golf Management, a worldwide leader in event management. “We are excited to get the White Sands Series started and continue the tradition of top-tier golf in The Bahamas.”
Along with the upcoming tournament, there are also plans in the pipeline for a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) White Sands event.
White Sands NCAA Shootouts, hosted by the University of Houston, will feature eight-team 54-hole men’s and women’s tournaments. The women’s competition will be held Oct. 27-30 at Atlantis’ Ocean Club Golf Course and the men’s event follows immediately after Oct. 31-Nov. 2.
The winner of the women’s event will receive an exemption into an LPGA event in 2020. Similarly, the winner of the men’s event will receive an exemption into a PGA Tour tournament next year.
“I have been fortunate enough to travel down to The Bahamas for the Pure Silk- Bahamas LPGA Classic the last six years. As a result, I have had the opportunity to experience how magnificent Atlantis and its Ocean Club Golf Course areas host facilities for a world-class event,” said Gerrod Chadwell, University of Houston women’s golf coach. “I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Global Golf Management in creating and delivering the best tournament of 2019 to Paradise Island.”
Ministry of Tourism officials are hoping the White Sands events can continue to bolster The Bahamas’ reputation as a golf destination.
“In the Islands of the Bahamas, there’s much to experience and golfing is no exception. In the Abacos and Exuma golfers can take in breathtaking ocean views while challenging themselves with any of our regulation 18-hole courses at each destination. We are thrilled to host an event such as this to truly solidify the Bahamas as a golfer’s paradise” said Bahamas Minister of Tourism, The Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar.
“The Bahamas White Sands Golf Series will showcase the Islands of The Bahamas
as a world-class golfing destination, while simultaneously providing tourists, sponsors, fans, alumni and experience seekers with one-of-a-kind access to some of the best players in the game and an amazing golfing venue that is both breathtaking and challenging,” Raedle said. “When you combine these events with the Web.com Tour events played here, there is no doubt this is going to be an exciting year in the Bahamas.”
