LIBERTYVILLE’S MERIT CLUB TO HOST 2016 UL INTERNATIONAL CROWN

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The Gog Blog Chicago’s #1 Golf News Source by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the UL International Crown Trophy.

Today the LPGA has announced that the second playing of the International Crown, will be held at the Merit Club in Libertyville.

The biennial team match-play event is scheduled for July 19-24 of 2016. The event will open with two days of practice and pro-am’s before heading into the team competition on Thursday the 21st.

Merit Club first opened for play in 1992, and was ranked in the top 100 courses at one time by both Golf Digest and Golfweek Magazine’s.

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Karrie Webb winner of the 2000 U.S Women’s Open at the Merit Club on the putting green at Caves Valley Golf Club, host of the 2014 LPGA International Crown.

“We were flattered by the many suitors with championship resumes who came forward with the hopes of providing the stage for this event,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan. “The Merit Club has wonderful history and prestige and will offer a spectacular backdrop to see which country will take home the Crown. We think of the UL International Crown as an event that’s growing in global significance and making a major impact on women’s golf. The Merit Club helps us take that next step in many ways and we’re excited to partner together.”

“Everyone here at the Merit Club is excited for this opportunity,” said Donald W. Pieper General/Manager Director of Golf at the Merit Club. “The U.S. Women’s Open was such a big success in 2000 and we can’t to showcase the world’s best golfers as they compete for their country to see who will take home the Crown.”

The Rolex Women’s World Rankings, will determine the eight countries that will play in the 2016 UL International Crown, and those countries will be announced at the conclusion of the 2016 ANA Inspiration in April. At the conclusion of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship next June, the four highest ranking players from each of the eight countries will make up the teams.

“We are looking forward to hosting the 2016 UL International Crown at the Merit Club,” said Keith Williams. “Our goal as title sponsor is to keep growing the stature of this one-of-a-kind international event and the Merit Club is a prestigious and beautiful golf course right in our backyard. We are interested in seeing which country will reign in 2016.”

The Merit Club played host to the 2000 U.S. Women’s Open, it was won by Karrie Webb of Australia, who played for Team Australia in the 2014 LPGA international Crown at Caves Valley Golf Club outside of Baltimore Maryland.

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About Rory Spears

Rory spent over 8 years growing up working at Rob Roy Golf Club in Prospect Hts.IL, then two years at Chevy Chase in Wheeling. He has covered golf in Chicago since 1986. Rory was one of the initial members of WSCR all-sports radio Chicago and covered golf there for 5 seasons, before moving on to work for ESPN/Sportsticker and ESPN Radio. In addition to hosting Golfers on Golf Radio on WCPT AM820 Chicago, he writes for both the Chicago District (CDGA) Magazine, and formerly Chicagoland Golf. Rory has played over 525 courses in 39 states, and rates golf courses. He does golf course management and communications consulting, within the golf industry.