Jane Park to Return to LPGA Tour Competition at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, Teaming up with Major Champion Paula Creamer
Park’s Husband, Pete Godfrey, to Caddie; Daughter Grace Godfrey to Attend
Dow GLBI to be First Tournament LPGA Tour Event for Park in Two Years
Dow GLBI to Take Place July 19-22, at Midland Country Club in Midland, Mich.
MIDLAND, Mich. – LPGA Tour professional Jane Park is set to return to tournament competition next week, teaming up with close friend and major champion Paula Creamer at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational July 19 – 22 at Midland Country Club in Midland, Mich. Throughout the week, Dow GLBI players and fans have the opportunity to show their support for Park’s 2-year-old daughter Grace, who has intractable epilepsy.
Park will tee-it-up for the first time in LPGA Tour competition since the 2021 Ascendant LPGA benefiting Volunteers of America. While Park was playing in the event, Grace, then 10 months old, experienced a series of undiagnosed seizures and subsequently suffered severe brain damage, now requiring full-time care.
Park’s husband, professional caddie Pete Godfrey, will caddie for Park. Grace also will be in attendance.
“It’s my honor and privilege to compete in the 2023 Dow Great Lakes Bay Championship partnered with my great friend Paula Creamer,” said Park. “With the help of family, friends and so many others, I’ll be able to see my LPGA family again inside the ropes one more time. I’m incredibly nervous just like I used to be when I competed full time, but I know my partner will pick up my slack. My husband Pete will be on my bag, so hopefully he will give me some good clubs. The cherry on top is that Grace will be there to say hello to her friends. I can’t wait for everyone to see her again and we are looking forward to making new memories with everyone!”
Special hats will be available to purchase at the Dow GLBI, with the proceeds donated to the Epilepsy Foundation and the Golf4Her foundation. Players will also wear ribbons throughout the week to show their support.
“We are proud to be able to host Jane, Pete and Grace at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational next week,” said Dow GLBI Executive Director Carlos Padilla II. “We hope to be able to showcase the incredible hospitality of the Great Lakes Bay Region to their family, while also helping bring awareness to epilepsy. Fans should plan to come out and support Jane and Paula on the course.”
Park and Creamer will join 71 other two-person teams competing in the unique team competition that features both foursomes and four-ball matches. Official tournament play begins Wednesday, July 19. The final Dow GLBI tournament field and partner list will be released later this week.
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