Sixth-year pro receives $1,500 prize for tour-leading earnings at season’s halfway point
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—July 25, 2012 -- The Symetra Tour — Road to the LPGA today announced that Scottsdale, Ariz. native Esther Choe is the recipient of the inaugural Symetra Swift Award. Presented to the player off to the quickest start on the LPGA’s developmental tour having earned the most official money at the season’s mid-point, the award is the first of three 2012 Symetra Player Awards that will recognize notable accomplishments on the Tour this year.
Choe received her $1,500 Symetra Swift Award check on July 22, 2012, at the conclusion of the Northeast Delta Dental International tournament in Concord, N.H. In addition to the prize money, Symetra will make a $1,000 donation in Choe’s name to Betsy King’s Golf Fore Africa. The charitable organization benefits orphans with HIV/AIDS in Lesotho and Rwanda.
“I am extremely humbled by this award and pleased at the opportunity to benefit such a great organization,” said Choe. “Betsy King has been a mentor of mine for a few years, seeing me through some difficult times in my career. I am thrilled to be able to recognize her support with a contribution to her wonderful charity, which I hope to do further work with in the future.”
Choe has been dominant in her play on the Symetra Tour this season. She has either won or been the runner-up in every tournament in which she has competed. Choe recorded back-to-back wins at the Sara Bay Classic and Riviera Nayarit Classic in April and competed in a playoff last week at the Northeast Delta Dental International where she finished second.
“The ‘Symetra Swift’ award celebrates the attributes of Symetra’s brand icon — the swift — one of the fastest fliers in the animal kingdom,” said Jim Pirak, Symetra’s senior vice president of Marketing. “It has been a true pleasure watching Esther Choe take flight on the 2012 Symetra Tour. We are delighted to recognize her achievement as the earnings leader at the Tour’s mid-point and to honor Esther’s accomplishment with a donation in her name to Golf Fore Africa.”
In addition to the Symetra Swift Award, the 2012 Symetra Player Awards include the Symetra Rising Star Award, presented to the player who makes the biggest jump on the money list from the end of 2011 to the end of the 2012 season, and the Symetra Tour Player of the Year, presented to the season’s money leader. All award recipients receive a cash prize, and Symetra also will make a $1,000 donation to each winner’s favorite charity in her name.
About Golf Fore Africa
Golf Fore Africa, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz. Dedicated to bringing hope and support to children in Africa that have been orphaned or made vulnerable by AIDS, Golf Fore Africa seeks to raise awareness and charitable contributions within the golf community — including, but not limited to: individuals, golf country clubs and courses, professional and amateur players and organizations, the golf industry, and selected corporate sponsors.
Topics: Esther Choe
