Day one of the Lorie Kane Island Challenge proved to be a wonderful day for everyone on the course. The sun was shining, white puffy clouds dotted the sky and the full-to-capacity crowd was "wowed" by the stiff competition between LPGA stars, Nancy Lopez, Se Ri Pak, Annika Sörenstam and hometown girl, Lorie Kane.
The first nine holes played on the first day of competition saw three skins paid out on the third hole to Annika Sörenstam for a purse of $22,500. The skins format will see the winnings from holes four though nine, a total of $72,500, paid on the 10th hole Wednesday if someone makes the putt.
Jack Kane, father of Lorie and recently retired manager of Golf Links PEI noted, "Wednesday morning at 9:30 am will be the single largest one-hole skin in the history of Prince Edward Island golf."
The women tied on every hole except the third creating a large payout for the first-ever women's skins format tournament in Canada.
According to tournament organizers, the crowd really seemed to enjoy the day and the exposure of the superstar golfers. "Everyone out on the course was very happy to be there and the good nature of the players seemed to spill over into the spectators," noted Frank Butler, Deputy Minister of Tourism. "Everyone was just really pleased to be out on the Brudenell course with Lorie and her LPGA counterparts on such a beautiful day and the general air was very positive. It was great to see Lorie home again after her recent LPGA win and the crowd responded to all the great shots made throughout the morning."
The outstanding lineup of LPGA superstars have generated tremendous corporate, fan and media excitement across Canada and around the world. The four players represent an international cross-section and their congenial, competitive relationship created a great day for the competition which will continue on Wednesday.
The Sports Network (TSN) will televise the Lorie Kane Island Challenge in two parts, October 4 and 5, 2000.
Play begins again Wednesday, August 30 at 9:30 am, and fans will watch with bated breath to see who will be the winner of the $72,500, or more.