LPGA Unveils 2004 Schedule

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ty Votaw, the LPGA Commissioner, announced the 2004 LPGA Tour schedule on Thursday.

Full-field purses are expected to be at least $31.4 million, a $2.4 million increase from 2003. The average purse is expected to be $1,308,000, which is the highest-ever average.

‘The LPGA Tour is enjoying one of the most prosperous times and robust fan bases in LPGA history,’ said Votaw. ‘We are extremely pleased with the strength of the 2004 schedule. We look forward to continuing to showcase the very best in women’s golf markets worldwide.’

The season opens March 11 with the Welch’s/Fry’s Championship in Tucson, Arizona and concludes with ADT Championship, reserved for winners only, on November 18-21.

The first major is the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills Country Club on March 25-28. Next is the LPGA Championship on June 10-13, then the U.S. Women’s Open at Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, Massachusetts on July 1-4.

The season’s final major championship is the Women’s British Open, scheduled for July 29-1 at Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire, England.

There is one new tournament on the 2004 schedule as the tour returns to the Nashville, Tennessee area. The Franklin American Mortgage Championship will be played at Vanderbilt Legends Club on May 13-16.