Top Golfers Tee Off One Last Time
The Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship presented by P&G finished its final round Sunday. Spectators followed their favorite top golfers during the LPGA tournament at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers.
Former Razorback Stacy Lewis had one of the largest followings of the three-day championship tournament.
“You can definitely feel the Razorback pull because she’s got a lot of fans, and even though we’re supporting her because we are from Texas, you can tell Fayetteville, the locals, are really pulling for her to win,” spectator and fan Penni Chaney said.
Chaney was alongside her mother and dad in the group keeping a close eye on the Lewis, the No. 2 ranked female player in the world, and some of their other favorite golfers, too.
Marvin Chaney, Penni’s father, was collecting autographs Sunday.
“I’ve got them in my pocket, all the girls gave me signed golf balls,” Chaney said.
For young golfers, there was the kid’s center. The purpose was to get them excited about the sport at an early age.
“It’s good for them to have something here fun to do and to cool off and practice their putting,” said Kimberly Byrne, an event volunteer.
After watching the professional golfers, the kids took their own swing at the game.
“It provides a challenge, and it’s not like your regular putting,” 10 year-old Luke Byrne said.
The kids practice in hopes of one day playing on the course just like the pros.
As for Stacy Lewis’ fans, they admired her attitude throughout the tournament.
“Her sportsmanship is high, she knows how to be gracious and I think she’s a very good player,” fan Chaney said.
Lewis didn’t win this event, however she will travel to play in the U.S Women’s Open on July 5th.
This year the Northwest Arkansas championship contributed about $400,000 to local organizations, such as the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter and the Boys and Girls Club in Benton and Washington counties.
