Southern California Girls to Tee Up with LPGA Legends in Rancho Mirage

Southern California girl golfers will tee up with women professionals April 2, as part of Kraft Nabisco Championship week at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, it was announced this week.

The winner of the Kraft Nabisco Legends Junior Challenge will be invited to play in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, one of the LPGA Tour's four major championships, on April 4-7, according to organizers.

"We are thrilled to once again partner with the Kraft Nabisco Championship and provide Southland girls with this kind of unique opportunity," said Kevin Gigax, executive director of the Southern California Golf Association's Youth on Course program.

"We heard such great feedback from both the juniors and legends after last year's event. Once again the Junior Challenge will showcase the best junior girls in Southern California, provide legends the opportunity to share the game and its values with the younger generation and inspire girls to continue to pursue their dreams in golf."

The girls will be chosen by a committee led by Youth on Course. Applicants will be considered on their golf resumes and community and leadership involvement. Applications are at www.scga.org/legends and are due March 11.

Applicants must be 13 to 18 years old, attend middle or high school in Southern California, have a handicap index of 2.0 or lower, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and compete on a local high school golf team or in junior tournaments.

The Kraft Nabisco Legends Junior Challenge will be played on Mission Hills' Arnold Palmer Course.

Youth on Course promotes education and character development of Southern California youth through golf.

For information on the Kraft Nabisco Championship, go to www.kncgolf.com or call (760) 324-4546.