Community Corner
Kia Classic Brings Top Women Golfers to Aviara
Beatriz Recari defends her title as the LPGA returns to Carlsbad for the $1.7 million Kia Classic.
The greatest women golfers in the world will gather at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad over the next week for the $1.7 million Kia Classic. Spain's Beatriz Recari will try to defend her title in the LPGA event that pays $255,000 and a new Kia K900 to the winner. Recari edged I.K. Kim in a two-hole playoff last March, sinking an 18-foot birdie putt from the fringe of the 18th green as darkness set in.
Recari felt her win was validation of her game since she hadn't won again after her initial LPGA victory in 2010, and she feels the Kia Classic is one of the top tournaments on the schedule behind the majors. All but one of the top 50 players were in the field of 144 last year. Recari won later in 2013 at the Marathon Classic in Ohio.
The 72-hole event runs Thursday (March 27) through Sunday (March 30), with a pro-am event on Wednesday. Golf fans can watch the pros during practice rounds on Tuesday, when there is no admission charge. Advance price for viewing the pro-am on Wednesday is $10, with daily passes for the tournament set at $15. A weekly grounds pass is available for $30. Children 17 and under are admitted free with an adult, and active-duty military and their families also are free with a valid military ID.
For additional information on the Kia Classic, visit the tournament website at www.kiaclassic.com.
