SIXTH ANNUAL KIA CLASSIC RETURNS TO AVIARA GOLF CLUB MARCH 26-29
Defending Champion Anna Nordqvist to Lead Field of World’s Best LPGA Golfers
- As the Official Automotive Partner of the LPGA, Kia will present K900** luxury sedan and $255,000 winner’s purse to Kia Classic champion
- In addition to top-notch competition, Kia Classic offers fan- and family-friendly activities
IRVINE, Calif., March 24, 2015 – Kia Motors America (KMA) is pleased to once again serve as the title sponsor of the sixth annual Kia Classic, which tees off this Thursday at Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, California. Returning champion Anna Nordqvist will defend her title against a competitive field of 144 golfers all vying for their share of the tournament’s $1.7 million purse. Play concludes on Sunday, March 29, and the winner will receive $255,000 and the keys to a brand new Kia K900 luxury sedan – the Official Vehicle of the LPGA.
“The Kia Classic annually showcases some of the world’s most talented athletes playing at the highest levels of women’s professional golf,” said Tim Chaney, vice president of marketing communications, KMA. “As the Official Automotive Partner of the LPGA, we at Kia look forward to this tournament every year and wish all of the players the best of luck as they compete at Aviara.”
Golf fans will find this year’s tournament to be more enjoyable than ever with planned activities at Aviara to include: an on-site junior clinic, scavenger hunt, player autograph sessions and Military Appreciation Day. Children under 17 (with a paying adult) and Active duty military members and their families (with ID), receive free admission to the Kia Classic all week.
Upon entering the Aviara grounds, fans will pass through the Spectator Village, which will show off the K900 and allow visitors to see, feel and experience Kia’s passionately designed and obsessively crafted rear-drive luxury sedan. The rest of Kia’s world-class line-up will be on display throughout Aviara’s beautiful course, which overlooks the Batiquitos Lagoon. For the complete list of special events, please visit www.KiaClassic.com. Coverage of the Kia Classic will air on the Golf Channel, and fans will be able to watch every minute of play on the challenging par-72 course, one of the LPGA tour’s premiere destinations.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea, and in 2014 was the #1 ranked mainstream brand according to Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Index. KMA proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and set an all-time annual sales record in 2014, surpassing the 500,000 unit mark for the third consecutive year. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles, including the rear-drive K900** flagship sedan, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Soul Electric Vehicle***, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-door subcompacts and the Sedona minivan, through a network of more than 765 dealers across the United States. Kia’s U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, builds the Optima* and Sorento* and is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs.
Information about KMA and its full vehicle line-up is available at www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.
About LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association)
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 1,700 members representing 29 different countries. With a Vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The Symetra Tour – Road to the LPGA serves as the official developmental tour of the LPGA, consistently producing a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via: www.LPGA.com, www.facebook.com/lpga/official, www.twitter.com/lpga, and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo.