The Original Championship Course at Blackwolf Run welcomes the 67th U.S. Women’s Open Championship, July 2-8, 2012. In preparation for the international event, the U.S. Women’s Open invites you to learn more about the superstars of women’s golf. This week, we welcome you to get to know … Cristie Kerr
For professional golfers, a good match can make for a nice payout, but for Cristie Kerr, every birdie she makes lightens her wallet a little bit. That’s by design, however, because through her foundation, Birdies for Breast Cancer, Kerr has vowed to contribute $50 toward breast cancer research for every birdie she makes on tour.
Kerr became a passionate breast cancer activist after watching her mother, aunt and godmother battle the disease. She has raised more than $2 million for breast cancer research and treatment, and in 2010, she opened the Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center in Jersey City, N.J.
It’s that drive and focus that have led Kerr to become such a success on the golf course. She was ranked number one in the world three times in 2010 and has 14 career wins and more than 130 top-10 finishes in LPGA events. She won the U.S. Women’s Open in 2007 and captured at the 2010 LPGA Championship by an unprecedented 12 strokes. Kerr has participated six times in the Solheim Cup and in 2011 she became the top American money winner in LPGA history. Her tireless work both on and off the course earned her the 2011 Muhammad Ali Award For Sport Achievement.
Kerr was born in Miami, Fla., and took up golf at age eight. She won the Florida State Junior Girls’ Championship three consecutive years, was named American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year in 1995 and earned low-amateur honors at the 1996 Women’s Open. She turned pro at age 18 and was working her way up through the ranks of LPGA players when health problems began to hamper her play. At 5 feet 3 inches tall and 175 pounds, her weight was causing back spasms and, according to an article in Golf Digest, Kerr realized then that she had to get in shape in order to continue her playing career.
In 1999, she hired a nutritionist and fitness coach, undertook an aggressive training regimen and by 2002, she had dropped to 125 pounds. The back problems disappeared, her swing improved and with better flexibility, she was able to hit the ball farther. Today, she’s dedicated to daily workouts and reaches for turkey sandwiches or smoothies instead of her old fried favorites.
One indulgence she does allow herself is a glass of wine from her own label, Curvature. The brand is the result of a unique collaboration between Kerr and Pride Mountain Vineyards in Napa Valley, Calif., and all profits go to breast cancer research. For Kerr, who has said that she’d like to become a sommelier one day, Curvature is a passion project, and the wine is produced in small 600-case batches.
Today, Kerr’s main focus is a repeat of her 2007 Women’s Open victory when the championship is held at Kohler’s Blackwolf Run this summer. “Number one is where I want to be,” she said at the Ladies European Tour forum in February. “That’s why I play.”
Cristie Kerr’s Favorite Things
· Drinking Curvature wine!
· Her dog, Mr. Baily
· Hanging out at home with her husband, Erik
· Visiting New York City
· Christian Louboutin shoes
· Her BMW X6
· Fishing and working out
The U.S. Women’s Open, conducted by the United States Golf Association, returns to The Original Championship Course at Blackwolf Run, July 2-8, 2012. To learn more about the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open please visit www.2012uswomensopen.com, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/2012uswomensopen or call (920) 453-2889.
About Blackwolf Run and 2012 U.S. Women’s Open
Site of the first Kohler-hosted golf championship in 1998, The Original Championship Course at Blackwolf Run welcomes the 67th U.S. Women’s Open, July 2-8, 2012. One of Pete Dye’s crowning achievements, Blackwolf Run opened for play in June 1988 and was named that year’s “Best New Public Course” by Golf Digest. It has continued to accumulate awards and honors including regularly being ranked on the list of “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” by Golf Digest and the “Top 100 You Can Play” by GOLF Magazine.
About Kohler Co. Hospitality & Real Estate Group
The Kohler Co. Hospitality & Real Estate profile includes The American Club, boasting the first and only Forbes Five-Star hotel property in Wisconsin, and world-renowned championship golf courses Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run. Kohler Co. also operates The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in the birthplace of golf, St Andrews, Scotland, a AA Five Red Star property and recognized as one of the 10 most exclusive lodgings in the world. The Hotel stands astride the 17th hole of the Old Course and the North Sea. Just behind the 18th hole, Kohler Co. is renovating what will be known as Hamilton Grand, 26 of the world’s most extraordinary apartments that will be sold as 99-year leaseholds in the spring of 2012.
About The American Club Resort
The American Club Resort is in a select group being one of only 36 hotels worldwide to be rated both Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond, while the Kohler Waters Spa is one of just 30 spas worldwide to earn the Five-Star – both firsts in the State of Wisconsin. Additionally, it was named No. 3 Golf Resort in North America, by Golf Digest Magazine. In addition, Kohler has hosted the 1998 U.S. Women’s Open at Blackwolf Run, as well as the 2004 and 2010 PGA Championships and 2007 U.S. Senior Open at Whistling Straits. Kohler will also play host to the 2015 PGA Championship and 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. The resort features 11 dining establishments from the Forbes Four-Star Immigrant Restaurant to traditional pub fare at Horse & Plow and rustic Italian at Cucina. The resort is located in the Village of Kohler, Wis., one hour north of Milwaukee.
About the USGA
The USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and international matches. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA’s working jurisdiction comprises the United States, its territories and Mexico.
The USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history and funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” charitable giving program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.
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