Annika Sorenstam will award $50,000 in grants to current Symetra Tour players through her foundation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new ANNIKA Foundation Crisis Relief Fund plans to give 100 players grants in the amount of $500 each.
There are currently 146 players on the Symetra Tour that have competed in Sorenstam’s junior and college events and more than 60 LPGA pros.
The Symetra Tour held one event in March before the season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic. The tour has 10 tournaments left on its schedule with a couple of events pending. The total number of LPGA cards on offer has been cut in half from 10 to five. The 2020 Q-School has been canceled.
“You think of all the players – a lot of alumni – they are just starting out their dreams,” Sorenstam told Golfweek, “and it’s been cut off. We wanted to figure out a way that we can help. This is one way that we thought can help them.”
Applications for the initial round of funding are due June 12 and foundation organizers expects to distribute funds around July 1.
Players will be asked to share basic earnings information to demonstrate financial need.
That shouldn’t be difficult given the lack of playing opportunities.
Other individuals wishing to help can also make a 100 percent tax-deductible contribution by visiting annikafoundation.org/crisisrelief.
Symetra Tour rookie Bethany Wu and Annika Sorenstam (Photo credit: ANNIKA Foundation)
Last year, more than 600 girls from 60-plus countries competed in Sorenstam’s events. Her foundation annually hosts six girls-only invitational tournaments on five continents. The LPGA icon has gotten to know so many players of the players on a personal level through her events and clinics.
“Many of them need some support, and also for them to know that we’re thinking of them,” she said. “We had a little extra money. We said we can we do that, and tell them we’re thinking about them, and continue to inspire them and make sure they’re ready when we do open up again.”
