Annika Sorenstam, Mia Hamm Square-Off in Celebrity Golf Match to
Kick-Off 'ANNIKA Experience at WaterSound'
Local Junior Golfers to Play with International Sports Icons at
Innovative Origins Golf Club
(WATERSOUND, Fla.) - The ANNIKA Foundation and St. Joe Company (NYSE:
JOE) announce international sports icons Annika Sorenstam and Mia Hamm
will square-off in a celebrity golf match at Origins Golf Club on
Friday, February 19, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. to kick-off the "ANNIKA
Experience at WaterSound," a two-day celebration of active lifestyles
and wellness education to benefit the ANNIKA Foundation and local
charities.
Annika, a member of both the World Golf and LPGA Halls of Fame and
widely regarded as the greatest female golfer of all-time, and Mia,
elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1997 and a three-time
Olympic medalist and two-time World Cup champion, will play a 10-hole
match on Origins' par-3 configuration (course description below). They
will be joined by a team of 20 local junior golfers - 10 boys and 10
girls - who will each play a hole with the star pairing.
"I am excited to join Annika at Origins and compete with her to
kick-off the ANNIKA Experience at WaterSound," says Mia. "The ANNIKA
Foundation is a major catalyst for educating children of all ages about
the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle, and the ANNIKA Experience
will showcase this."
"Mia is one of the greatest female athletes of our generation and an
inspiration to so many people world-wide," says Annika. "I am a big fan
of hers and we are honored to have her take part in the ANNIKA
Experience at WaterSound and I look forward to our match at Origins."
Prior to the match, at 8:30 a.m. Annika will conduct a golf clinic for
the junior golfers and the general public at Origins. Mia will assist
her at various points throughout the session, including demonstrating
tips and shots. Following the golf match, Annika will headline a "Meet
Annika and Mia" luncheon at The Village Commons at WaterSound from
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. where they will both discuss their respective
philanthropic work.
Proceeds from the ANNIKA Experience at WaterSound will benefit local
charities and the ANNIKA Foundation, the golf legend's charitable arm
that teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active
lifestyle through fitness and nutrition and offers aspiring junior
golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams. Mia will raise funds and
awareness for bone marrow transplant patients and their families in
honor of her brother Garrett, who passed away from complications of a
bone marrow disease.
Other planned events for Saturday include a children's fitness clinic,
a charity golf tournament at the Tom Fazio-designed Camp Creek Golf
Club, where all teams will play a hole with Annika, and a food and wine
reception following golf at Fish Out of Water, the award-winning,
fine-dining restaurant at WaterColor Inn, one of the region's premier
coastal, boutique inns.
Accommodation packages will be available at WaterColor Inn and Resort
and WaterSound Beach including admission to all ticketed events. For
the full schedule of events and sponsorship opportunities contact
Monark Events at 850.728.9476, 616.890.6497 or via email at
info@monarkevents.com.
About The ANNIKA Foundation
The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a
healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers
aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams. A primary
focus for the ANNIKA Foundation is to identify the greatest needs and
opportunities to make an impact by developing sports and physical
fitness programs for kids. A key focus is to provide resources that
increase participation and access where it is not currently available
or affordable, and promote awareness for the importance of leading a
healthy, active lifestyle. More information about the ANNIKA Foundation
can be found at
www.annikafoundation.org.
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