Freebies And Promotional Offers At Lpga Tournaments What Attendees Can Expect

LPGA tournaments offer numerous opportunities for fans to enjoy free experiences, promotional items, and special benefits beyond just watching world-class golf. These events provide a variety of freebies ranging from complimentary admission for specific groups to sponsor-provided samples and family-friendly activities. Understanding what freebies are available can enhance the tournament experience and make it more accessible to different audiences.

Free Admission for Children and Special Groups

Many LPGA tournaments offer complimentary admission for children, making family outings more affordable. At the Kroger Queen City LPGA Championship, juniors aged 17 and under get in free with a ticketed adult. General admission tickets for this event are $25 per day, but children can attend at no cost when accompanied by a paying adult. Additionally, the tournament designates specific days as "Junior Days" with enhanced offerings. For the Kroger Queen City LPGA Championship, Saturday, September 21 was designated as Junior Day, sponsored by Venus and Gillette, where ALL children (17 & under) not only received free admission but also received a complimentary backpack and t-shirt upon entry.

The Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give offers free general admission specifically for fathers on Father's Day, which falls on Sunday, June 15 during the tournament. This special recognition allows fathers to enjoy the tournament at no cost, potentially making it a family-friendly Father's Day activity. The same tournament also provides complimentary general admission to military personnel (active, retired, reserve, veteran) and a plus-one companion throughout all four days of the tournament with proper identification.

The Cognizant Founders Cup in New Jersey takes free admission a step further by offering complimentary general admission tickets for the entire opening day, October 6. This free day is made possible by the New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the charitable arm of the New Jersey PGA Section. On this day, gates open at 6:45 am and close at 6:30 pm, with morning wave tee-offs from 7 am – 9 am and an afternoon wave from 11:50 am – 1:50 pm. Each group features one LPGA TOUR professional competing on the front nine and a second on the back nine, allowing fans to get close to the action without paying for admission.

Sponsor-Sponsored Freebies and Samples

Sponsors play a significant role in providing freebies and promotional items at LPGA tournaments. At the Kroger Queen City LPGA Championship, attendees enjoyed complimentary bottles of lemonade, granola bars, cookies, and other snacks distributed by Kroger. These free snack stations were positioned at both entrance and exit points, becoming a highlight for many young attendees who made sure to stop by during their visit. The presence of sponsor-provided samples not only enhances the fan experience but also increases brand visibility and engagement.

The Meijer LPGA Classic features Grand Taste Concessions located throughout the course, offering various food and beverage items all priced at $4 or less, making them affordable options for families. While not free, these reasonably priced concessions contribute to the overall accessibility of the tournament experience. Additionally, the tournament has generated more than $12 million over the previous ten events to feed families across the Midwest through Meijer's Simply Give program, demonstrating the tournament's commitment to community impact beyond just the sporting event.

Family-Friendly Activities and Entertainment

LPGA tournaments recognize the importance of family appeal and often include dedicated areas and activities for children. The Meijer LPGA Classic offers Discovery Land as a free destination specifically for children and families, providing a space where younger attendees can engage in age-appropriate activities separate from the main golf viewing areas. This dedicated family space helps keep children entertained while parents enjoy the tournament.

The ShopRite LPGA Classic provides additional family-friendly entertainment through its Junior Golf Show, which takes place on Saturday of tournament week. This event allows kids of all ages to connect with the stars of the LPGA through a combination of educational and interactive elements. The Junior Golf Show includes opportunities for juniors to learn from LPGA players about their experiences as professional athletes and what it takes to play on the professional tour. Participants can ask questions, get autographs, and watch swing demonstrations that showcase the abilities of LPGA athletes. Attendance at the Junior Golf Show is free for all ticket holders, making it an accessible activity for families.

The tournament also features a Family Fun Zone, described as a great way to take a break and allow children to be kids. This designated area provides age-appropriate entertainment and activities that differ from the main golf viewing experience, giving families options for how they spend their time at the tournament.

Military and First Responder Benefits

Many LPGA tournaments show appreciation for military personnel and first responders through special complimentary offerings. The ShopRite LPGA Classic partners with Braven Health and SERVPRO to offer a hospitality area called the Hero Outpost, specifically designed for military personnel (active, reserve, retired and veterans), first responders (police, fire, EMS), and their families. Located on the 11th green, this area provides comfortable seating and complimentary food and water throughout tournament hours (Friday - Sunday from 10:30 am until 30 minutes after play ends).

Admittance to the Hero Outpost requires identification, and family members must be accompanied by service personnel. More significantly, all military and first responders with proper ID receive free tournament admission compliments of SERVPRO, extending the appreciation beyond the dedicated hospitality area. This recognition makes the tournament accessible to those who serve the community, acknowledging their contributions while providing them with an opportunity to enjoy a premier sporting event.

The Meijer LPGA Classic similarly offers free general admission to military personnel and a plus-one throughout all four days of the tournament with proper identification, demonstrating a consistent trend across LPGA events to honor and provide access to those in service professions.

Hosting Opportunities and Free Resources for Golf Introduction

Beyond attending tournaments as spectators, individuals and organizations have opportunities to host free golf introduction events through the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program. Those who register as hosts for a Girls Golf Experience Day receive a comprehensive Girls Golf kit with everything needed to run a successful event. The host package includes both materials for participants and resources specifically for the host.

Participants in these Experience Days receive complimentary Girls Golf gifts, including bag tags, tees, lanyard, and cinch bag. These items not only serve as welcome gifts but also function as practical golf accessories that can be used during and after the introductory experience.

Hosts receive special recognition items such as a Girls Golf visor and poster, which can be displayed to promote the event and the program. The package also includes equipment for running various activities, including Girls Golf branded cones, survey tape, small flags, and yard targets. These tools facilitate structured learning experiences that help introduce basic golf concepts in an engaging manner.

Digital resources are another component of the host package, including exercise worksheets, coloring pages, certificates, and other digital assets. These materials can be used before, during, or after the Experience Day to reinforce learning and provide take-home activities that extend the impact of the introductory program.

Hosting a Girls Golf Experience serves multiple purposes: it introduces young girls in the community to golf, attracts future Girls Golf members once the host becomes an official LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Site, provides members with an opportunity to bring loved ones to the course, and contributes to growing the game of golf by introducing more girls to the sport. The program's mission is summarized as "Change lives, one swing at a time," emphasizing the broader impact beyond just teaching golf skills.

The process of becoming a host is straightforward, requiring interested individuals to decide on a date and location, register as a Girls Golf Experience Day host, and prepare for the event. This structured approach ensures that hosts have the necessary support and resources to successfully introduce golf to new participants, potentially fostering the next generation of female golfers.

Food and Beverage Options

While not strictly freebies, the food and beverage offerings at LPGA tournaments contribute to the overall attendee experience. The Meijer LPGA Classic features Grand Taste Concessions throughout the course with items priced at $4 or less, making them affordable options for families. The ShopRite LPGA Classic offers the Hero Outpost with complimentary food and water for military and first responders, while other attendees can purchase concessions at various price points.

The Kroger Queen City LPGA Championship provides complimentary lemonade, granola bars, cookies, and other snacks through sponsor-provided free stations, which were particularly popular with younger attendees. These free food and water stations strategically placed at entry and exit points help keep attendees hydrated and energized throughout their day at the tournament.

Conclusion

LPGA tournaments offer a variety of freebies and promotional benefits that enhance accessibility and enjoyment for different audience segments. Children often receive free admission, with special days featuring additional complimentary items like backpacks and t-shirts. Military personnel and first responders are recognized with free admission and dedicated hospitality areas. Sponsors contribute to the experience through free samples and promotional items, while family-friendly activities provide entertainment for all ages. Additionally, programs like Girls Golf Experience Days offer resources for those interested in introducing others to the game. These freebies and benefits make LPGA tournaments more inclusive and enjoyable for a diverse range of attendees, beyond just the golf enthusiasts who follow the sport closely.

Sources

1. What you really should know to make the most of your LPGA tournament tickets
2. The LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup is giving away free tickets
3. Girls Golf Experience Day
4. Meijer LPGA Classic
5. ShopRite LPGA Classic
6. Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give