NASSAU, Bahamas, Jan. 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Well over 1,000 visitors traveled to The Bahamas for the fifth annual LPGA Pure Silk Classic, which saw American golfer Brittany Lincicome emerge as the 2017 champion.
Lincicome sealed her victory before the sun set in The Bahamas on Sunday and walked away with $210,000. She teed off against 107 other female golfers. Lincicome rose from a four-player battle with fellow Americans Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller. Each golfer commanded the lead at one point on Sunday.
The tournament, which was held at the prestigious Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island, attracted a record number of spectators.
"It's been a great event," said Atlantis President and Managing Director Howard Karawan. "It's great to expose not only Atlantis and Ocean Club but The Bahamas and the beautiful waters and the beautiful people of The Bahamas.
"We have tons of people here. In addition to the players that came, you know we have 108 players that came, the caddies and the television crew, we got hundreds of more guests coming to just see the event. Friends of mine from Florida come down... So we got well over 1,000 people coming to visit and see the event. It's great for the country, it's great for tourism and it's great exposure for the country.
Tournament Organizer Jeff Raedle said The Bahamas has proven to be an "incredible" golf destination. He said over the past five years the tournament has grown. "We've seen a dramatic increase over the last several years," he added.
The tournament was carried live on the Golf Channel and attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers. Raedle said the Golf Channel typically gets between 250,000 to 300,000 viewers per day.
Former professional golfer Renee Powell said she's already looking forward to next year. "It really is paradise here," she said.
When asked how The Bahamas stacks up against other golf destinations, Powell, who has played in over 250 tournaments worldwide, said, "I would say that no one is ahead of you. When you think about the beauty here, oh my gosh, and the people and the whole atmosphere here creates a greater willingness for people to want to come."
The Bahamas will host the tournament again next year.
Heralding the successful staging of the 2017 tournament, Raedle said he expects next year to be even better.
With the recent hosting of the The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic and The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, The Bahamas now hosts four major golf tournaments, including the Hero World Challenge.
The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the world's best golfing, scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar is on par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember It's Better in The Bahamas. For travel packages, activities and accommodations information, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook Twitter and YouTube
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Brittany Lincicome, 2017 Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic Champion
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L-R: Joy Jibrilu, Director General in The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; Brittany Lincicome, 2017 Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic Champion
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