Cristie Kerr Donates & Defends at State Farm Classic

Dr. Tom Robbins, SCI director, Cristie Kerr Sara Howe, breast cancer survivor

Cristie Kerr climbed the leader board at Panther Creek Country Club today with a 67 that put her into a tie for ninth as she enters the weekend looking to defend her title at the LPGA State Farm Classic ...and to secure a win after two runner-up finishes.

In addition to her work on the golf course, the 14 time LPGA Tour winner has been quite busy off the course raising money for her Birdies for Breast Cancer charity.  Several days ago she presented a $5,000 check to the Simmons Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.



The donation was made at a wine-tasting event held at Panther Creek in conjunction with “Curvature” Cristie Kerr’s signature wine label.  It will fund ongoing research to fight breast cancer.

As a charitable partner, SCI will also receive funds from the LPGA... and tomorrow is "Get Your Pink On Day" when spectators who wear pink will get free parking and four breast cancer survivors representing the cancer institute will be walking with the pros. It looks like a rosy weekend ahead in Springfield.

Consistent Cristie Kerr Wins State Farm Classic

Weather is something professional golfers are used to dealing with.

In fact, the ability to handle various climatic conditions is one of the skills that defines a top player and contributes to the consistency every golfer strives for.

Cristie Kerr has been more successful than most in achieving it. So much so that State Journal-Register writer Dave Kane suggested she might be crown "the new queen of LPGA consistency" in Springfield, IL.

Springfield is the site of the LPGA State Farm Classic where Cristie captured her 13th LPGA tour victory this morning after myriad weather delays pushed play into a fifth day. ~ With six top-10 finishes in eight years of playing this tournament... including a win in 2004 and two runner-up finishes right after that... Cristie is clearly worthy of the crown.

A month ago New York Times writer Karen Crouse pointed out that at No. 5 in the world rankings, Cristie Kerr had been in the top 10 for 317 consecutive weeks. Today's win moves her to No. 4 and within one point of overtaking the world's No. 1, Jiyai Shin who had to withdraw for appendix surgery.

Ms. Crouse also noted Cristie's 71 consecutive made cuts and pointed out that the last time she didn't play on the weekend at a major the 2001 Women’s British Open. There's some consistency for you.

I'll have more on Cristie Kerr later this week, more about her win at State Farm and more about her thoughts on the importance of building LPGA girl's golf programs in the USA.

The ShopRite Classic begins on Friday at the Seaview Dolce Resort in Galloway NJ. And if I know Cristie she's already there... at work