MARION (KWWL) - They're not big names in golf. At least, not yet.
"The Duramed Futures Tour is actually the official developmental tool for the LPGA, and the Ladies Titan Tire Challenge is one of 17 stops on this year's Duramed Futures Tour," says tournament co-director Charity Tyler.
10 women will walk away with their LPGA card, which allows them to play with the pros. But the Titan Tire Challenge at Hunter's Ridge will also champion a Cedar Rapids volunteer organization that's been working hard to rebuild since last year's flood.
"Junior League of Cedar Rapids announced that we were hosting this tournament on June 5th, 2008, and just a week later, our communities were struck by the floods," said Tyler, who told us all money from ticket sales will go back to Junior League.
Players we spoke with, including Iowa City native Jill Frantz, say they're honored to be involved.
"I drove around a couple weeks ago downtown and the neighborhoods, and there's still a lot of people who've lost their homes," said Frantz. "Homes are still vacant, so it's going to take some time. So, it's nice to know that the tour was able to give back."
Libby Smith of Vermont hopes the challenge will attract big crowds. "Our thoughts are with the families they're trying to help out and the programs they're trying to rebuild. Hopefully we get a good turnout and can raise some money for them."
Tyler says there's been an outpouring of support from volunteers since last June, and now hopes the rest of the community will show theirs this weekend.
"It's definitely had an impact on our sponsorships. We had high hopes of getting a lot more sponsorship monies, which means that we're relying on the public to support this event with ticket sales."
The tournament begins Friday. Adult tickets are $10 a day or $25 for the whole weekend. Kids 15 years of age and under get in free with a paid adult.
Online Reporter - Brady Smith
