It's Not Golf. It's Not Soccer. It's 'Footgolf,' and It's Happening in Rancho Mirage

By City News Service:

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - Women's soccer stars Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy will be among the athletes squaring off Tuesday in a combination of soccer and golf known as Footgolf.

The Footgolf Faceoff starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission Hills Country Club's Arnold Palmer course and will feature members of the U.S. and Japanese women's soccer teams, who previously met in the 2015 women's World Cup. Also participating will be American and Japanese golfers to be featured in the ANA Inspiration's main event later this week.

Footgolf consists of 6 holes of golf using a size 5 regulation soccer balls, with shortened courses and larger diameter cups.

In addition to Wambach and Foudy, Team USA includes LPGA golfers Paula Creamer and Jessica Korda. Team Japan will feature soccer players Ayumi Kaihori and Yayoi Kobayashi, with LPGA golfers Ayako Uehara and Shiho Oyama.

Admission to the Footgolf game is free, with free parking and complimentary shuttle service available at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa.

Wambach and Foudy will also speak at the "Inspiring Women in Sports Conference," celebrating the contributions and participation of women in sports, as well as the inclusion of golf in the 2016 Summer Olympics, the first time since 1904 that golf will be featured in the Olympics.

The conference will take place at 1 p.m. at the country club's 18th Green Pavilion. Topics of discussion include "The Journey of a Champion," "Role Models for the Next Generation," and "Overcoming Obstacles," as well as the presentation of the ANA Inspiration Award, which is given to a female athlete, entrepreneur or philanthropist who inspires other women to break barriers and achieve success, according to tournament organizers.

Other conference special guests and speakers include Huffington Post co- founder and editor-in-chief Ariana Huffington, four-time gold medalist in swimming Missy Franklin, alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, 1992 Winter Olympic gold medalist figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, world-class swimmer Jessica Long, and golfers Annika Sorenstam, Juli Inkster, Lydia Ko and Cristie Kerr.

Admission to the conference is available via ticket packages starting at $199, which grant admission, as well as a parking pass, championship grounds pass and more.

(Image via Shutterstock)