LPGA Pro golfer Lexi Thompson dazzled a crowd of approximately 100 people Wednesday, June 24, at Tanyard Creek Practice Center with a driving demonstration, open forum and autograph session.
Thompson, 20, was in Arkansas for the Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship, but stopped by Bella Vista on the eve of the tournament.
"It was my first time in Bella Vista and it was really awesome," Thompson said. "I love getting together with fans and always cool to see the little kids."
"(Tanyard Creek) is a great facility," Thompson added. "It was a great experience."
Cobra-Puma Golf, Thompson's title sponsor, oversaw the event. Mike Singletary, a teaching professional at Tanyard Creek, and Darryl Muldoon, the pro at Bella Vista Country Club, helped coordinate Thompson's visit.
"It's great of (Thompson) to take the time to come up and do this for us," Singletary said. "We get to expose our facility and the members get to see something special. We're very blessed and fortunate to have her stop by during her very busy schedule."
A Florida native, Thompson grew up in Coral Springs, which is about 20 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale. She grew up playing golf and at 12 years of age became the youngest female player to qualify for the U.S. Open, according to her Puma bio.
Thompson stands at roughly six-feet tall, and her strength has given her a reputation for outdriving her male counterparts. She won her first major championship in 2014, capturing the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Along with six professional wins, Thompson's other impressive finishes include tying for seventh in the 2014 U.S. Women's Open, tying for 17th in the 2012 Women's British Open and placing third in this year's Women's PGA Championship.
Thompson's two brothers, Nicholas and Curtis, also are professional golfers.
General News on 07/01/2015