Seven Canadian golfers competing in 2014 tournament
www.manulifeclassic.ca
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WATERLOO, ON, May 20, 2014 /CNW/ - Brooke Henderson, Canada's top ranked
amateur and Jackie Stoelting, Champion, Big Break Florida Season 10
join the field for the 2014 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic at Grey
Silo Golf Course, June 4 to 8.
"It's always a treat to watch Brooke Henderson compete and we're proud
to have her play in the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic once again,"
said Marianne Harrison, President and CEO, Manulife Canada. "Big Break
Florida has kept viewers on the edge of their seats and we'd like to
congratulate champion, Jackie Stoelting, who has earned an exemption to
compete in our tournament."
No. 3 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, and Canada's top ranked
amateur is Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ontario. Henderson
continues to turn heads at just 16 years of age, and will be given
another chance to do so with her exemption into the Manulife Financial
LPGA Classic. Henderson capped off 2013 with a victory on the Florida
Orange Blossom Tour, winning the Junior Orange Bowl at Biltmore Golf
Club in Coral Gables, posting a final round of 67 for a four-day total
of 280; 4 under par. 2014 began with another victory this time at the
South Atlantic Ladies' Amateur Championship in Ormond Beach, Fla.
Henderson fired a final round 72 to pull ahead of the pack with a
4-stroke victory. Henderson received a sponsor exemption to compete in
the 2013 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic, holding her own by finishing
T35.
For the last 10 weeks on the Golf Channel, 12 women went head-to-head at
Omni Amelia Island Plantation in Florida for season 10 of the Big
Break, and a chance to launch their career in professional golf. To do
so they had to endure a series of intense challenges that tested their
golf skills and mental toughness. Only one player received the honour
of being named Big Break Champion, and that player was Jackie
Stoelting.
At 27 years of age, Jackie Stoelting, a graduate of Florida Southern
College has achieved her goal of becoming the champion of the Big Break
Florida. Along with carrying the title of Big Break Florida Champion,
Stoelting won more than $175,000 in cash and prizes (the largest
collection of prizes in series history) and an opportunity to play on
the LPGA Tour, at the 2014 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic.
Canadian Golfers
Currently, representing Canada at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic,
Brooke Henderson will join Lorie Kane, Alena Sharp, Maude-Aimee
Leblanc, Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Sue Kim and previously announced Jennifer
Kirby.
Kane, the Charlottetown, PEI native has enjoyed great success on the
LPGA Tour, Recording season-best T41 finishes at the Mobile Bay LPGA
Classic and the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic in 2013.
Sharp is still searching for her first LPGA Tour victory, and none would
be sweeter for the Hamilton, ON protégé than the Manulife Financial
LPGA Classic title.
Leblanc recorded a season-best T32 finish at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA
Classic in 2013. Lee-Bentham recorded a career-best T11 finish at The
Evian Championship as well as carding a career-low 65 during the first
round of the CME Group Titleholders.
Kim recorded four top-10 finishes in 2012 on the Symetra Tour. She
ranked third in birdies (139) and fourth in rounds under par (21).
Kirby, just recently in Waterloo Region for the tournament's
announcement of a contract extension with Manulife, finished in fifth
place at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn Priority List
Category 12 for the 2014 LPGA Tour season. Kirby received a sponsor
exemption in 2012 and 2013 to compete in the Manulife Financial LPGA
Classic.
For more information, including ticketing and volunteer opportunities,
visit www.manulifeclassic.ca.
About the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic
The Manulife Financial LPGA Classic is back for its third year on the
LPGA Tour and will feature a standard eligibility field of 144 players,
72 holes of stroke play and a purse of $1.5 million. The tournament
will take place June 4 - 8, 2014, at Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo,
Ontario, home of Manulife Financial's Canadian Division Headquarters.
For more information please visit: www.manulifeclassic.ca.
Follow us on Twitter: @ManulifeClassic.
About Manulife
Manulife is a leading Canada-based financial services group with
principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Clients
look to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking
solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our
international network of employees, agents and distribution partners
offers financial protection and wealth management products and services
to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to
institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife and its
subsidiaries were approximately C$635 billion (US$574 billion) as at
March 31, 2014. Our group of companies operates as Manulife in Canada
and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.
Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE,
and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at
manulife.com.
About Sports Properties International
As owner of the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic, Sports Properties
International was created to provide an environment where communities
and spectacular sporting events can come together, connected by a
common interest. Sports Properties International can be found on the
internet at www.sportspropertiesinternational.com.
About Bruno Event Team
Bruno Event Team (BET) is a Birmingham, Alabama-based sports marketing
and event management company formed in 1996 by Ronald Bruno and Gene
Hallman. Bruno Event Team is experienced in all facets of event
management, employing a year-round staff of 70+ employees in thirteen
offices around the United States and Canada. Bruno Event Team Services
each client with expertise in strategic planning, marketing,
advertising, public and media relations, ticket and merchandise sales,
sponsor relations, hospitality consulting, event operations, event
financial planning/accounting, and volunteer coordination. Visit www.brunoeventteam.com for additional information.
SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation
