8-23-2024 10:34pm

Queen City LPGA Tournament Is Happening In Ohio's Largest Playground

Beth Callahan Editor

(Left to Right) Betsy Ross, Moderator & President, Game Day, Emily Norell, Tournament Director, Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G, Michelle Lipka, General Manager, TPC River’s Bend, 16-year old Gianna Clemente, LPGA Player

MAINEVILLE, OH -- With the Cincinnati Open just wrapping up at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, it just seems natural, as Ohio's Largest Playground, that the third annual Queen City LPGA Tournament will also be played here in Warren County.

Sponsored by Kroger and P&G, this year's tournament is happening at TPC River’s Bend in Maineville. Starting September 19 through the 22, the Arnold Palmer championship designed 18-hole course will be featuring a field of 144 of the world’s best golfers.

Emily Norell, Tournament Director, Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G explained that when they started out, they reached out to many different courses.

"There was a lot of interest from surrounding courses to host us. Ultimately we settled on TPC River's Bend just knowing they'd hosted championship events before, that this course checked all the boxes in terms of what it means to host a professional championship golf event, and, also, where it sits... just north of Cincinnati, which allows us to not just touch Cincinnati, but Dayton and Columbus as well," added Norell.

Not only will golf enthusiast from this area be close enough to come watch the event in person, the tournament will be broadcast domestically on the Golf Channel with more than 12 hours of live coverage, and it will also be distributed around the globe to more than 220 countries.

Each year, the tournament has welcomed more than 50,000 fans, with more than 70 local and national partners supporting the tournament along with some 700 volunteers. Annually, the event brings $12 Million of economic impact to Cincinnati with more than $500,000 invested across all sponsors behind charitable programs as a result of the tournament noted Betsy Ross, President of Game Day Communications.

Last year, Kroger and P&G increased the purse of the Queen City Championship to $2 million, up from $1.75 million the first year of the tournament. Then on Friday, P&G and Kroger announced a two-year extension of their contract through the year 2026.

"I am extremely passionate and proud of this event and so when Kroger and P&G wanted to continue the co-title sponsorship, I was just so happy and proud that they believe in the LPG and these players and this community as well to want to continue to bring the world's best players here to Cincinnati," added Norell.

Both Kate Meyer, Vice President of Home, Health & Beauty Merchandising, Kroger and Pat Cady, P&G Sales Senior Vice President agreed that this is part of their commitment to the tournament to attract the world’s best golfers to the city of Cincinnati and to ensure women’s golf has a platform to showcase their talent.

Part of the Kroger Queen City Championship platform is the Queen City Game Changers Leadership Program. This program has been created to advance women in sports, business, and education. Through four full-day events, the program connects each participant with an executive coach, executive mentors, and provides a curriculum designed to accelerate everyone’s path to executive leadership.

Now in its third year nearly 400 participants, from both corporate and entrepreneurial backgrounds, have become Game Changers. Within the past year, 25% of the Game Changers earned promotions within their companies. And, numerous entrepreneurs in the program received new business accounts and access to corporate collaborations.

Founding members of the Game Changers Leadership Program include Kroger, P&G, Cintas, Great American, St. Elizabeth, TriHealth and GE Aerospace. To learn more about the program, as a potential candidate or to volunteer, visit the website at www.queencitygamechangers.com.

Activities at the 2024 Queen City Championship

Pampers is sponsoring the Family Center, which includes a mom’s room, changing stations, an area where parents can take a break with their kids and Changing Stations throughout the tournament grounds
Gillette and Venus are sponsoring Junior Day, Saturday, September 21, featuring free admission for all children plus a free backpack, shirt and activities throughout the grounds.
Tide, Downy, and Gain are sponsoring the caddie bibs, starting tents and the Tuesday Night Hole-in-One Challenge where 15 players and 10 female high school golfers will compete in a challenge to win $500,000 with a hole-in-one.
Bounty is sponsoring the caddie program to help the caddies keep the golfers’ equipment clean and dry throughout the tournament.
Zevo is sponsoring the Family of the Day, where one lucky family each day will take home a gift basket of products plus Queen City Championship merchandise.
Dawn, Cascade, Febreze, Swiffer, and Mr. Clean are sponsoring the volunteer program. Some 700 volunteers are needed to make this tournament run smoothly, and we thank them for their great work.
Olay Body Washis sponsoring the public viewing deck in the Fan Zone.
Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, and Olay are sponsoring Beauty on the Green in the Fan Zone, where fans can get a free dry style plus a sample of new Olay Melts facial cleansers.
Crest and Oral-B are sponsoring the Smile 360 Selfie Station, so fans can get a 360-degree selfie to commemorate the day
Charmin is sponsoring Hole #2 and will have the Charmin Throne in the FanZone.
Secret Deodorant is sponsoring Autograph Alley where fans can get autographs from some of their favorite players.
Kroger is sponsoring the Freshest Putt in the Fan Zone, where guests can take their chance at sinking a long putt to win one of four daily $250 Kroger gift cards
Kroger Our Brands will be in the Fan Zone handing out samples from brands like Kroger, Private Selection and Simple Truth and a golf billiards game where fans can try their luck for prizes.
Popular Kroger Kroji Mascots will be on hand throughout the course and Fan Zone to interact with guests and take photos
And this year, a Family Meal Deal, sponsored by Kroger Our Brands, will be introduced to ensure affordability for families at the concession stands.

Ticket and hospitality packages are available for purchase through the tournament website. Children aged 17 and under will receive complimentary admission with a ticketed adult, and all active and retired military will also receive free admission. Private skyboxes and upgraded all-inclusive hospitality options are also available.