The Annika Foundation, Swedish legend Annika Sorenstam’s charitable organization, has come to the aid of Symetra Tour players who are in financial need due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The foundation will award US$50,000 in grants to Symetra Tour players as part of the Annika Foundation Crisis Relief Fund. An initial round of grants of US$500 each will be awarded to 100 players, where current Symetra Tour players with Category A-K status who demonstrate true financial need due to the Covid-19 pandemic are eligible for consideration.
“So many Annika Foundation alumnae play on the Symetra Tour, doing everything they can physically and financially to make their LPGA dreams come true,” noted Sorenstam. “Our team is humbled to be in a position to try to make a difference and give these players a little peace of mind during this break from tournament action.”
Individual donors are also invited to support the crisis relief fund by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution by visiting www.annikafoundation.org/crisisrelief. The fund will remain in place for expedited activation during future crises.
“It’s truly been a challenging time for our professionals not having tournaments to showcase their talent and earn a living,” says Mike Nichols, chief business officer, Symetra Tour. “We are extremely grateful to Annika and her foundation for reaching out to try to find a way to provide this welcome and needed support to our athletes.”
With the establishment of the fund, the Annika Foundation also made a US$5,000 donation to the PGA of America’s Golf Emergency Relief Fund.
The Annika Foundation is devoted to growing the game of golf around the world and annually hosts six girls-only invitational tournaments on five continents. At the college level, it hosts the Annika Intercollegiate presented by 3M and bestows the Annika Award presented by Stifel to the most outstanding female Division I golfer.
Since the inaugural Annika Foundation tournament in 2009, 60 event alumnae have earned LPGA cards – www.lpga.com
