Cydney Clanton hails from Concord, NC
May 14. Women’s professional golf returns to Davidson when the Symetra Classic comes to River Run Country Club in May. It brings with it a local economic impact of some $500,000 in direct spending, according to event organizer Jon Show.
A total of 144 players will take on the challenge starting Wednesday.
All in all, the event brings nearly 300 professional athletes and tour staff to the Lake Norman area who will stay in local hotels and dine in restaurants over the course of six
AMANDA SAMBACH
days,” said Show, a resident of Robbins Park and a former reporter at the Sports Business Journal.
Golf is a nearly $85 billion industry in America, counting direct and indirect spending. It can be a viable career for women: LPGA tour leaders like Nelly Korda pulled down more than $300,000 in winnings last year.
Last year’s Symetra Classic champion, Jenny Haglund of Sweden, earned full time status on the LPGA.
A local favorite is Cydney Clanton of Concord. She is currently No. 5 in the Volvik Race for the Card. Volvik is a popular new golf ball available in vivid colors. She captured a second consecutive top-five finish last week in Georgia.
“During the offseason I really worked hard on figuring out what my strengths are and how I can perform my best,” Clanton said. “I have always been a good ball striker and decided I was going to get back to my roots, so I focused on my full swing. My first two weeks back really showed the work I have put in, now playing here will be great for my family and friends. It will be a great week regardless of the outcome because I get to be around people that love and support me.”
Amanda Sambach, who is also a River Run member, is a local sponsor exemption. “Sponsor exemptions” create places in the field, often for students who may not otherwise meet qualifying criteria. The Cannon School student won the 2018 Charlotte Observer’s girls golfer of the year.
The Symetra Pro-Am is Tuesday and competition rounds are Wednesday-Friday with an expected 6 pm conclusion on Friday.
This will be the second year the Symetra event, known as the road to the LPGA, is held in Davidson. The tournament was held at Raintree Country Club in Charlotte from 2012–2016 and moved to Atlanta National Golf Club in 2017.
“River Run is excited to build on the success of our first year and welcome the future stars of the LPGA and Symetra Financial,” said Slade Goldstein, president of River Run Country Club.
Former Symetra Tour players have won a total of 437 LPGA titles.
