The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G in its seventh iteration brought a host of events and activities to complement the LPGA tournament June 23-34.
The Champions Party on June 24 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers was an opportunity for sponsors, pros and ams to mingle before the Pro-Am tournament slated for June 25 and 26. (Unfortunately, June 25 play ended up canceled due to rain.)
Champions Party
Who: NW Arkansas Championship
What: Pre- Pro-Am socializing
When: June 24
Where: John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers
Information: nwachampionship.com
NEW NWA Women’s Day at the LPGA Breakfast
Who: Network of Executive Women, Gisel Ruiz, Kristin Oliver, Sylvia Ann Hewlett
What: More than 600 guests gathered for a panel discussion about attaining and maintaining executive presence.
When: June 26
Where: Hammons Center
Next: Summer mixer — Women Supporting Women: Career Lifestyle Sorts, 4:30 p.m. July 15
Information: jillian.l.dugger@gs… or newonline.org
Polo in the Ozarks Sponsor Party
Who: Life Styles Inc.
What: Donna and Brian Buell welcomed Life Styles supporters for a cocktail reception.
When: June 26
Where: Buell Farm in Goshen
Next: 25th annual Polo in the Ozarks, Sept. 13
Information: (479) 521-3581 or lifestylesinc.org
Those on hand included Inbee Park (2013 winner), Cindy and Duncan Mac Naughton, Jeff Schomburger, Terri and Jay Allen, Scott Tassani and Adam Dill.
A crowd of more than 600 early risers gathered on June 26 at the Hammons Center for the fourth annual NEW (Network of Executive Women) NWA Women's Day at the LPGA Breakfast. The event's panel discussion featured executive career advice from Gisel Ruiz, Walmart executive vice president chief operating officer; Kristin Oliver, Walmart executive vice president of people; and Sylvia Ann Hewlett, author of "Executive Presence."
Charities reaping the rewards of the tournament included Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter, Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton and Washington counties, South Central PGA Foundation, Arkansas State Golf Association, Mercy Hospital Foundation and the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.
Charity and other community events that were part of the tournament included "Let's Hear it for the Girls," a clinic for 25 junior golfers in the First Tee of NW Arkansas hosted by pro Christie Kerr; Walmart announced a $450,000 donation to the Northwest Arkansas Council; 300 ponytails collected at the Pantene Beautiful Lengths event on June 25 will be be made into wigs for cancer patients; the Mattel Junior Clinic on June 26 saw more than 100 area youngsters interested in golf join Shauna Estes Taylor, University of Arkansas women's golf coach, for a two-hour clinic; and pros Stacey Keating and Sydney Michaels were on hand as Kraft Foods donated $10,000 and 1.5 tons of food to fill the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank's truck.
On June 26 Donna and Brian Buell opened their farm and barn (replete with horses and chandeliers) to help Life Styles Inc. fete the 2014 Polo in the Ozarks sponsors. The 25th annual polo benefit is set for Sept. 13 at the Buell Farm in Goshen, and along with a polo match will include tailgate parties, children's activities, live and silent auctions and live music from Backroad Anthem.
Among those gathered in the barn in support of Life Styles were Sue and David Van Bebber, Jennifer Maynard, Brock Gearhart, Terrye and Patric Brosh, Lydia McCain and Max Mahler and Carol and Bill Hart.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwaonline.com.
NAN Profiles on 07/06/2014