From GreatLIFE Challenge to LPGA Tour winner

Dec. 5, 2018

This paid piece is sponsored by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

There’s a reason the Symetra Tour is known as the Road to the LPGA.

The GreatLIFE Challenge at Willow Run Golf Course in Sioux Falls has been a stop on it for four years, and past winners are starting to have major success.

2016 GreatLIFE Challenge champion Nelly Korda recently won her first career LPGA Tour event at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship.

She came in second a few weeks later at the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Fla.

That added up to almost $550,000 in prize money in one month.

“We’re so happy for Nelly’s success,” said Jason Sudenga, GreatLIFE director of golf.

“We really enjoyed getting to know her and watching her play at Willow Run, and we’ve been closely following her career ever since. We’ll definitely continue to do so. She’s had a very good 2018 and has a bright future ahead of her.”

Korda’s career earnings exceed $1.4 million. And it started with a win at the GreatLIFE Challenge.

Korda shot a final round 66 at Willow Run in 2016 to cruise to a three-shot victory and a $31,500 check. The win was the first of her professional career.

“It’s a wonderful reminder of the opportunity we have to see these young golfers who are going to go on to be major players on the LPGA Tour,” Sudenga said.

“We look forward to hosting another outstanding group next year.”

The 2019 GreatLIFE Challenge will be Aug. 29 through Sept. 1.

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From GreatLIFE Challenge to LPGA Tour winner

She earned her first professional win in Sioux Falls and has been building an impressive career ever since. We check in on Nelly Korda, winner of the 2016 GreatLIFE Challenge.

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