Virginia Golfer March/April 2014 | Page 18

2014 Kingsmill Championship Defending champion Cristie Kerr has found Williamsburg to her liking, having claimed an unprecedented three titles in the event’s nine-year history. “When you walk around and see the crowds, you really understand that people love their golf here,” Kerr says. Many Happy Returns The top women golfers in the world are back at Kingsmill’s River Course— and this time it’s for the long term | BY VIC DORR JR. Serve not only food and drink but also respect in abundance. Do the little things. Do them enthusiastically. Do them without exception. Those are the tools Kingsmill Resort has used to construct one of the most popular events on the LPGA Tour. The LPGA will visit Williamsburg for the third consecutive year and the 10th time in the past 12 years when the $1.3 million Kingsmill Championship tees off on the River Course, with the event set for May 15-18. The 72-hole Kingsmill Championship, like the Michelob Ultra Open that preceded it, attracts uncommonly strong lineups and produces uncommonly appealing champions. 16 “What’s special about the Kingsmill tournament for me is the community. The residents and locals really love golf and support the event in so many ways. I really look forward to all aspects of the week.” — CRISTIE KERR If Kingsmill is not the favorite destination among LPGA professionals, it certainly is a serious challenger for that distinction. LPGA Tour commissioner Michael Whan notes he was “not only excited but phenomenally relieved” when Kingsmill and the LPGA announced in October an extension that will carry the event through the 2017 season. “Believe me: The last thing I wanted to do V IRGINIA G OLFER | M ARCH/A PRIL 2014 Master_VSGA_Mar \