The recent announcement that the LPGA and PGA Tours had entered into a long-term written strategic alliance brought back memories of the first professional event I attended growing up.
The 1996 J.C. Penney Classic was staged down the road from my grandmother’s house at Innisbrook Resort in Tarpon Springs, Fla. American hotshot Kelli Kuehne made her professional debut that year at the mixed team event with another young pro, Tiger Woods, as her partner. I remember their matching red and black Nike outfits like it was yesterday.
Other compelling teams included the long-hitting pair of Laura Davies and John Daly, defending champs Beth Daniel/Davis Love III, Karrie Webb/Brad Faxon and a couple of Swedes named Annika Sorenstam and Jesper Parnevik.