CAPE ELIZABETH – The Purpoodock Club’s board of governors voted Wednesday night to accept an LPGA Futures Tour tournament at the course in July.

The board’s vote followed a poll by the club’s members in which 88 percent were in favor of the tournament. The LPGA contacted the course in October about hosting a Futures Tour tournament.

The Futures Tour is a developmental tour of the LPGA. The majority of LPGA Tour players played on the Futures Tour.

“I think it’s a win-win for the club and the Futures Tour,” said Jim Harvey, the Purpoodock Club president.

“The tournament will showcase our club. Financially, it’s a positive for us. If the tournament helps attract new members, that would be another positive,” he said.

Harvey said the agreement is for one year, with the club having the option of extending it for two more years.

Purpoodock is an 18-hole private course located in Cape Elizabeth, currently with 270 full golfing members. The club will celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2012. The course hosted the highly popular Union Mutual Seniors Classic from 1984 to 1986. Arnold Palmer won the last tournament.

Tracy Kerdyk, vice president of new business development for the LPGA Futures Tour, said the Portland market is one the Futures Tour has been looking at for the last few years.

“We are thrilled that we are going to be having a tournament at the Purpoodock Club,” said Kerdyk. “For golf fans, it’s an opportunity to see talented young players. We still have some things we have to iron out. Once that happens, we’ll be off and running.”

The tournament dates are July 10-15. There will be a practice round on the 10th for the players. The next two days will be pro-ams, followed by a three-day, 54-hole tournament. The field is expected to total 144 players.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH

 

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