LPGA Tour returns to Southwest Florida for first time in decades

The Ladies Professional Golf Association is returning to Southwest Florida for the first time in more than 40 years.

On Friday, some of the world’s top golfers will be at Crown Colony Golf & Country Club. Two of the golfers actually call SWFL home, and they spoke to WINK News about what getting to play here means to them.

The best if the best in women’s golf are teeing off in Southwest Florida. The LPGA is returning to this area after being away for decades. These ladies are bringing the Drive On Championship to Crown Colony Golf & Country Club.

And golf fans in Lee County are pretty excited to see world-class golfers right in their backyard. Mark Watts says watching these golfers had him stunned. “I want to throw my clubs away almost because they’re hitting it over the traps with irons too. And I’m like what?!” Mark said.

And not just any fans were allowed in to watch these golfers. Only club members were privy to the best seats in the house to see some of the best golfers in the world.

“We can watch them teeing off on hole eight right from our kitchen table,” said Terry Watts.

Not only were they able to see professionals hit the course, but they were also able to watch a couple of ladies who call Southwest Florida home.

Brooke Henderson grew up in Miromar Lakes, and Sophia Popov lives in Naples.

Henderson says she’s excited to put her talents on display in a place she fell in love with. “It’s a great place to be to be able to stay at home in my own bed,” said Henderson.

And she hopes she gets the chance to do this more often. “It would be really cool if we came back another year and we’re able to have fans from the outside. That would be really cool. I think we would get huge crowds,” Henderson said.

Henderson believes it could only get better based on the support she’s seen so far.

In addition to club members, the only other guests allowed in were those invited by the players. Saturday is the final day of the tournament.