Meijer LPGA Classic Returns for 9th Time
Jennifer Kupcho to defend her title
By Tom Lang
LPGA pro Jennifer Kupcho made a clean sweep of Michigan’s two LPGA tournaments last summer, and she first returns to Grand Rapids this June 15-18 – where the $2.5 million purse attracts one of the top LPGA fields in the world outside the majors.
Kupcho had a career-worthy season just in 2022, winning three times – first getting a major at the Chevron Championship, then coming to Grand Rapids for win No. 2, before teaming up with Lizette Salas to win the Dow GLBI team event in Midland.
“Honestly, I just feel honored,” Kupcho told me by phone recently in regard to holding the title of defending champion in Grand Rapids. “I think it was just such a big accomplishment for me to get that second win (in pro career). It’s not easy to win one, but to compete against such a big top-player leaderboard was really exciting to be able to do that, and to be able to say defending champion is very special.”
Those three victories, with 2022 season winnings near $2 million, followed a stellar amateur career that included winning the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2019, which she said is very high on her list of golf accomplishments. And in 2018, she won four college events at Wake Forest to be named NCAA Player of the Year, also winning the NCAA Individual Championship.
Kupcho gives high praises to the golf knowledge Michigan fans possess and says that fact is a bonus for players.
“I think it’s good in general when you have fans that know the game and know when to cheer you on and know when to not say something,” she said. “I think fans in Michigan are really good at that. It’s very similar I would say, in going over to the British Open. They are obsessed with golf, and that’s kind of the feeling I get from Michigan. It’s just such a great environment.”
She really likes playing the Meijer host course, Blythefield Country Club. Who wouldn’t when you win there?
“I think the golf course itself really sets up to my eye,” Kupcho said. “Just being able to step on property anywhere out on Tour, and feel comfortable, is really important. And I definitely feel that in Grand Rapids. It really sets up well for my game. It’s a little bit shorter (than other set ups on Tour) and I can get to most of the par fives (in two). That’s one really good strength that I have.
“I still struggle a little with putting, as I always have pretty much my entire life, so that’s one thing I need to work on, but I think if I can hit the ball well … I can hit it a lot closer (at Blythefield) and not have to rely on my putting as much either. All their par 5s I like, so I am always excited for those holes. Other than hole 12, that’s kind of a weird drive for me; other than that it’s just a really comfortable golf course for me.”
Since the beginning in 2014 Meijer has been focused on getting families out to Blythefield for the tournament, and in the process helping raise charity dollars for the Simply Give program that restocks food pantries and allows for fresh food choices, not just traditional boxed items. The 2022 tournament raised $1.25 million for local food pantries and in total, the annual tournaments combined have generated more than $8.65 million for the Meijer Simply Give hunger relief program.
Hosting the event on Father’s Day weekend the past several years has been a big plus as well. Fathers get in free with their children that Sunday and that’s something Kupcho loves and supports.
“I think Meijer always does a really good job,” she said. “I love the Grand Taste (Now the J. Brewers). Doing that for the fans, and really just getting families to bring their kids out I think is one of the most special things about being out here on this Tour.
“All the players love hanging out and getting to know and really be role models for all of the kids. And I think that’s just one thing Meijer does a really good job of is getting the kids and their families out there – as well as being on Father’s Day. It makes it a really good environment.”
Past Meijer champions include:
Nelly Korda
Brooke M. Henderson (twice)
Lexi Thompson
Mirim Lee (the inaugural winner)
More information and tickets for all activities can be found at: www.meijerlpgaclassic.com
