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Marathon Classic
THE MARATHON LPGA CLASSIC PRESENTED BY DANA each year is talked about in superlatives: biggest sporting event in Northwest Ohio, most star-filled field of women professional golfers in the country for that weekend, prime benefactor of children’s charities. All of those still apply, but this year there’s one other distinction: the 2021 Marathon Classic is the lead-in to the Solheim Cup.
The Marathon Classic is part and parcel of the Solheim Cup, the top international women’s professional golf tournament that pits the 12 best-qualifying American women golfers against the 12 best-qualifying of their European counterparts, each side playing for their country and the bragging rights for the next two years that come with victory.
The Marathon Classic will be July 7-11 at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania. The Solheim Cup will be August 31 to September 6—yes, concluding on Labor Day—at the Inverness Club. While the Marathon Classic has been a fixture in the region’s sports scene since 1984—being an annual event except for two years—the Solheim Cup is being played in Toledo for the first time. Given the nature of the Solheim’s American-European setup, it could be decades before it returns to the Glass City.
“Having the Marathon LPGA Classic and the Solheim Cup here in Toledo is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” Marathon Classic Executive Director Judd Silverman says with pride and excitement. “Toledo was fortunate to win the bid to host the biggest event in women’s professional golf over such cities as Columbus, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City.
“A crucial element of the winning bid was Marathon Petroleum’s commitment of $1.25 million as the lead sponsor needed to secure the event.”
Here’s what links the two tournaments: LPGA players who do well in the Marathon Classic can play their way onto their respective Solheim teams. “Golfers make the team by accumulating points over a two-year period,” Silverman explains. “The Marathon Classic is one of the final events for the American and European hopefuls. The Women’s British Open is the final tournament for players to earn points.
“Take for example Danielle Kang, the Marathon Classic’s defending champion. She’s one of the leading point getters already for the Americans, and she definitely wants to make the Solheim team. There’s also Stacey Lewis, who is 8th or 9th right now. Each of them will be at the Marathon Classic.
“We’ve got a really strong field,” Silverman says. “Players have up until the week before the event to sign up. But we’re off to a really good start.” Silverman adds that this year’s purse is a record $2 million.
“The Marathon Classic will be a great prelude to getting to know the players who will be on the American and European teams. Don’t forget, European players will be at the Marathon Classic, too, trying to make their team.”
To see these competitors up close and personal, fans will be allowed on the grounds, unlike the pandemic restrictions of last year, Silverman says. “We’re going to be able to have our normal amount of spectators at the Marathon Classic.”
Even with no paying spectators in 2020, the Marathon Classic still delivered on its mission: to raise funds for local children’s charities. “Last year’s event was still able to raise a record $600,000 for 26 Northwest Ohio children’s charities,” Silverman says. “Our goal this year is $1 million for 30 children’s charities in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Through the years, the tournament has raised more than $12 million for about 200 children’s charities. Our goal is to keep spreading money around the community to different charities each year.”
In addition to the Marathon Classic, Silverman and his staff are assisting the LPGA with Solheim Cup preparations, including sales and marketing, volunteer recruitment—more than 2,000 volunteers are needed, and related events. Those interested in volunteering for the Marathon Classic or Solheim Cup can call the tournament office at 419-531-3277.
One of the events is the now-annual Women’s Summit, which for the past four years has been held during the Marathon Classic. This year, to take advantage of the excitement of the Solheim Cup, the Women’s Summit will be conducted the week of the Cup.
“It’s a women’s leadership conference, with usually more than 400 Toledo-area businesswomen attending,” Silverman says. “We sell attendance by the table. Owens Corning is the presenting sponsor, and graciously underwrites the keynote speaker.
“This year we wanted to make the Women’s Summit bigger, so it’ll be held at the Stranahan Theater and Great Hall, with lunch in the Great Hall and the program in the Theater. Moving it from Highland Meadows allows us to have more people. This year we expect up to 650 to 700 businesswomen to attend the event.” Silverman adds that anyone interested in sponsoring a table of 10 can contact the tournament office at 419-531-3277.
Speaking of business, Silverman notes that the Solheim Cup is projected to generate $30 million in economic impact for the Toledo area. The Marathon Classic generates about $5 million per year. The difference is that thousands of golf enthusiasts from Europe and across the U.S. are expected to be here for the signature quadrennial event in women’s golf. “We’re hoping that many Europeans will be here to cheer on their team,” Silverman says.
Looking at both events, Silverman says, “It’s going to be great for fans to return to professional golf in Toledo. This will be a memorable summer for golf fans in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, with both the Marathon Classic and the Solheim Cup.” To all, he says, “Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of both events. And if you’re planning on attending the Solheim Cup, don’t forget to wear red, white, and blue so you can help Team USA win the cup back from Team Europe.”
Tickets for the Marathon Classic can be purchased at www.marathonclassic.com. Tickets for the Solheim Cup can be purchased at www.SolheimCupUSA.com.
Schedule of Marathon Classic events:
Wednesday, July 7, Buckeye Broadband Pro-Am—All Day.
Thursday, July 8, First Round, Senior Day
Friday, July 9, Second Round, Healthcare Heroes Day, High School Girls Golf Team Luncheon at noon, Highland Meadows
Saturday, July 10, Third Round, 4 p.m. Finish, The Blade Day
Sunday, July 11, Final Round, 4 p.m. Finish, Family Day Presented by Directions Credit Union
Charities benefitting from the
2021 Marathon Classic:
Autism Model School, Avenues for Autism, Cancer Connection of Northwest Ohio, Inc., Challenged Champions Equestrian Center, Inc., Children’s Mentoring Connection, Children’s Theatre Workshop, Council on Domestic Violence Inc. (Open Arms), Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo, Good Grief of Northwest Ohio, Hilty Childcare and Preschool, Jamie Farr Scholarship Fund, Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio, Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity, Michigan Lupus Foundation, On-Target Outfitters, Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center, Putnam County YMCA, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Serenity Farm Equestrian Center, Sylvania Community Arts Organization, The Miracle League of Findlay, The Victory Center, Toledo Cultural Arts Center, Inc. - The Valentine Theatre, Toledo School for the Arts, Toledo Science Center d.b.a. Imagination Station, Toledo SeaGate Food Bank, United States Vets, Inc., Wood County Plays Young Life.
