Handa Cup to return to Palm-Aire

Palm-Aire Country Club and the LPGA Legends Tour announced today the ISPS Handa Cup will return to the Sarasota/Bradenton area for the second year in a row. 

The 11th annual ISPS Handa Cup will be held Nov. 1 through Nov. 6, on the Champions Course at Palm-Aire. 

In addition to an extra full day of competition, all of the rounds this year will be 18 holes as opposed to the nine holes that were played last year. 

‘We’re excited,” Palm-Aire President Ed Kornberger said. “Last year, we reignited the tradition of professional golf at Palm-Aire; and we’re excited that it’s going to continue. It’s something special.” 

With roughly 4,000 spectators in attendance last year, making it the most successful Handa Cup to date, the decision to return to Palm-Aire again this fall was driven by three components: Palm-Aire members, LPGA Legends Tour players and the community. 

“We’re absolutely thrilled to return to Palm-Aire Country Club,” Team USA player Jane Blalock said. “It’s the premier event on our tour. With the success that we had last year in our inaugural event, we’re very optimistic about the success going forward.” 

As in years past, the competition will feature team competition between the United States and the rest of the World with 12 players representing each team. 

World Golf Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez will return to captain Team USA while Sally Little of South Africa will return to lead the world team for a third year. 

Team USA won 26-22 last year in a close contest that came down to the wire of the final singles matches. 

Full rosters for both teams are expected to be announced in early September. 

“Any time that you can play for your country is a special opportunity,” Team USA player Barb Mucha said. “There’s more hype for this than anything I’ve ever played in. You’re playing with your heart, but also who you’re playing with.