The Mizuho Americas Open was announced in September, sparking excitement from the Met Area golf community in anticipation of the LPGA Tour’s new stop at Liberty National Golf Club, May 29 – June 4. The MGA recently caught up with Kevin Hopkins, Vice President of Excel Sports Management and Executive Director for the championship, to learn more.
| MGA: | How have you seen the region react to and support the championship over months that have followed? |
| KH: | This is one of the best golf markets in the world and we have seen some incredible support since our announcement in the fall. There is genuine excitement from fans, volunteers, and corporate partners in the NJ/NY market to welcome the best players in the world to a world-class venue like Liberty National. |
| MGA: | Liberty National has hosted some big events from the Presidents Cup to PGA TOUR Playoffs, how exciting is it to bring the LPGA Tour to the venue for the first time? |
| KH: | Liberty National was built to host bigtime competitions and we’re thrilled to showcase the talented stars on the LPGA on one of the most iconic stages in the game . We can’t wait to watch them battle it out with Lady Liberty and the skyline of Manhattan as the backdrop, it’s sure to produce some great drama and a worthy champion. |
| MGA: | What does it mean to have an iconic LPGA Tour player such as Michelle Wie West serve as host of the championship? |
| KH: | Michelle is legend in our sport, but is so much more than a golfer. She’s an incredible role model for the current and next generation of stars, and while she has announced that she will be stepping away from playing competitive golf, she will continue to use her platform and voice to be a leader in the game. She has always been a gamechanger – from turning pro as a teenager facing incredible expectations to capturing a Major Championship at the US Women’s Open at Pinehurst – and this will be a legacy event for her that celebrates the present and the future of women’s golf. |
| MGA: | Tell us a little about the unique format with the concurrently contested AJGA invitational. |
| KH: | This is going to be a groundbreaking format, as we will have 120 LPGA players competing in a stroke play event from Thursday to Sunday, while also welcoming 24 of the top female golfers from the AJGA to compete alongside them in their own AJGA Invitational with a stableford format. Two groups of talented competitors with two separate leaderboards. This will mark the first time that an AJGA event will ever be televised, and it will be incredible to watch these young girls paired with the stars of the LPGA inside the ropes on the weekend, as they both aim to win their inaugural events. The theme for the week will be all about mentorship and education, and we hope that the AJGA players competing will cherish the memories that they’ll share with their LPGA idols for years to come. Many of these young players will become future stars on the LPGA! |
| MGA: | What can spectators expect in terms of the fan experience on-site? Are there any specific experiences they should be on the lookout for? |
| KH: | These are some of the best sports fans in the world – we’ll have great food, a fun atmosphere, amazing views, and the most talented golfers on the planet at a venue that is rarely open to the public. We are building out a fan experience near the driving range and first tee that will be the perfect spot to post up and enjoy the day with your family and friends. We will also have a few upgraded ticket opportunities for the public – the Garden City Terrace is an upscale venue that will offer our fans food & beverage while overlooking the 17th Green and 18th Tee. |
| MGA: | As the championship approaches, how have preparations been and what are some of the main focuses right now? |
| KH: | Our team is focusing on all the details now in these last few weeks leading into the event. We want to make this a special experience for all of our stakeholders – players & caddies, the AJGA participants, our sponsors, volunteers, the membership at Liberty National, the Golf Channel and LPGA officials, and most importantly, our fans. Our operational build is set to begin shortly, and it will all start come together as we work towards handing out a trophy to our deserving champions on June 4th. |
| We are thankful to have the support of a tremendous title partner in Mizuho Americas, who are stepping up in all aspects of the tournament to make sure it’s a first-class event for every constituent. They have committed to one of the largest non-Major purses on the LPGA schedule, and have also announced that they will be taking care of hotel expenses for every player in the field in NYC and providing ferry transportation to Liberty National every day. | |
| MGA: | What are you most looking forward to with the Mizuho Americas Open? |
| KH: | This event has all of the ingredients to be one of the best events on the LPGA – a committed title sponsor, a world-class venue, an iconic tournament host, and a groundbreaking format. When you combine that with one of the best golf fanbases in the world as a kickoff to summer, it really can’t be beat. We can’t wait to open our gates to the world and let these phenomenal athletes put on a show for all to see! |
