It’s no secret that U.S. Rep. Steve Womack is a longtime supporter and fan of the LPGA event in Rogers.
When Womack was mayor of Rogers he was part of the group that worked to get the women’s professional golf league to hold an event in northwest Arkansas. The tournament debuted in 2007 but was rained out after just one round.
The $2.3 million event, now named the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G, is going strong into its 16th year.
Count on Womack to be around when the champion is crowned on Sept. 25 at Pinnacle Country Club.
“I have signed caps dating all the way back to the first year from every winner,” Womack said in an email to Arkansas Business. “Not sure what I will do with them … but it’s a priority of mine to get the winner’s signature on the tournament hat every year.”
And if you’re wondering, Womack considers Stacy Lewis the 2007 champion. Lewis, the former University of Arkansas national champion, played as an amateur in the 2007 event and shot 7 under in the first round; but rain canceled play.
Lewis later won the tournament officially in 2014.
Lewis said her 2007 performance gave her confidence to compete on the LPGA tour; she has 13 tour victories including two major titles.
“I suppose my favorite memory was 2014 — when Stacy Lewis won the tournament outright,” Womack said. “We had always considered her the champion in that rain-delayed, first year monsoon tournament; however her magical year in 2014 was pretty special for all of us.”
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