WILLIAMSBURG, VA, January 24, 2019 – Cristie Kerr, the only three-time Champion (2005, 2009 and 2013) at Kingsmill Resort will be walking the fairways and be at the top of her game as the official Host/Ambassador of the 2020 Pure Silk Championship – an LPGA tournament hosted at Kingsmill Resort. The Pure Silk Championship will be played May 18-24, 2020, on the famed River Course for a $1.3 million purse.
The highly visible role of ambassador will come naturally for Kerr, given her love of the Williamsburg area and her unprecedented three championships on Kingsmill Resort River Course. While this LPGA event draws a diverse group of spectators, it is especially appealing for young women interested in and learning to play the game of golf. Kerr’s role will be very active as she supports the tournament and encourages more participation from junior golfers. “The LPGA events at Kingsmill Resort have been a rich part of the LPGA’s history and certainly hold a special place in my heart,” Kerr shared. “I’ve developed lifelong friends and memories in the Williamsburg area.”
She will also help to grow the tournament by fostering new brand partnerships. This further helps convey the Pure Silk Championship’s community message given that the televised golf tournament benefits the entire Williamsburg area and helps drive overnight visitation, tourism and local businesses. “We are extremely pleased to have Cristie as the ambassador for the 2020 event. We consider her part of the Pure Silk Championship and Kingsmill Resort family and look forward to working with her,” Kingsmill Resort Chief Operating Officer, Joel Paige said. “She exemplifies true dedication and professional success for women’s golf.”
Kerr, a Florida native, turned professional at age 18 and began playing on the LPGA Tour in 1997. She is the all-time American money winner on tour with 20 career wins, including 3 at Kingsmill Resort, is a 2-time major champion and a 9-time U.S. Solheim Cup participant. In her impressive career she has over 170 top 10 finishes on Tour.
Kerr is actively involved in fundraising for breast cancer research. In 2006, she was awarded the LPGA Komen Award for her dedication to finding a cure for breast cancer through her foundation, Birdies for Breast Cancer. Since its inception in 2003, the foundation has raised over $4 million dollars for breast cancer awareness and research.
Kerr is also a wine enthusiast and founder of Kerr Cellars wines in Napa, California. The highly acclaimed wines, made by winemaker Helen Keplinger, have been featured in some of the finest resorts and served at affairs of state at the White House. In 2017, she passed the Court of Master Sommeliers level I test. To learn more about Kerr, visit www.cristiekerrgolf.com.
About the Pure Silk Championship The Pure Silk Championship will showcase top women golfers from around the world as they compete for a $1.3 million purse in a 72‐hole stroke play tournament. This week-long event draws fans from around the globe and will take place on Kingsmill Resort’s River Course, a 6,379 yard, Pete Dye layout. The River Course has boasted a combined 37 PGA and LPGA victories from elite players. It has long been a player favorite, given the wonderful support of the community, the incredible volunteers and exquisitely manicured River Course.
About Kingsmill Resort Something for everyone, Kingsmill Resort is Virginia’s only AAA 4 Diamond golf resort. Kingsmill is located on the James River off I‐64 between Richmond and Norfolk and within minutes from Williamsburg’s numerous destinations including Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, The College of William & Mary, Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. To plan your trip to Kingsmill, visit www.kingsmill.com.
