ROCKFORD, Mich -- We're just over a month away from the LPGA Meijer Classic at Blythefield Country Club in Rockford. On Tuesday, representatives from the tournament and Meijer as well as defending champion So Yeon Ryu gathered at North Kent Connect in Rockford for media day ahead of the sixth annual classic here in West Michigan, in which expectations are so high.
Ryu, who won $300,000 for her win last summer, donated $100,000 of that back to Simply Give. Tuesday she got a chance to tour North Kent Connect and see where her donation went.
"I was educated about the program and I think this is just awesome" Ryu said. "The concept is they are just not helping them out they are educating to how they are going to live their life without there help and I guess that is the way to make the community stronger so I am so happy I was able to help them out."
The defending champ went on to discuss how the event has become one of here favorite stops on the tour.
"I just love the atmosphere about the Meijer company," Ryu added, "I think they really care about the community and I guess the community also knows what Meijer is doing for it. They really understand why Meijer is doing that and that really made them feel like this golf tournament is their festival instead of our festival."
Meijer president, Rick Keyes also understands the importance of the classic.
"You never know when you start a tournament like this what you are going to be able to accomplish," Keyes mentioned, "I think typical of West Michigan, everybody coming out and supporting this event to be able to raise a million dollars in a single year and 4.2-million over five years is just incredible."
This year's event kicks off June 11th and will run through Father's Day, June 16th.
