Three Collegiate Athletes to Compete in the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give as Sponsor Exemptions

Fourth year Meijer LPGA Classic opens tournament to collegiate athletes

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Jun 08, 2017, 11:43 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth consecutive year, the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give opened its tournament to collegiate athletes as sponsor exemptions, representing Meijer and their respective universities in the professional tournament.

This year, three exemptions were awarded to Allyson Geer, of Michigan State University; Megan Kim, of the University of Michigan; and August Kim, of Purdue University.

"We are so excited to be able to provide these young athletes the opportunity to compete with the best women golfers in the world," said Cathy Cooper, Director of the Meijer LPGA Classic. "We think this is a great opportunity for these athletes to show their talent while supporting the Meijer brand."

Allyson Geer just finished her freshman year at MSU, and has been ranked the No. 1 Michigan junior golfer since 2013. Upon entering MSU, she was ranked 12^th in the Golfweek Girls Junior Rankings and 16^th in the Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings. To view her full bio, please visit: http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/w-golf/mtt/allyson_geer_1035263.html

August Kim will be the Big Ten sponsor exemption, and is a recent graduate of Purdue University. Kim was named First Team All-America by the Women's Golf Coaches Association in the 2016-2017 season and won the 2016 Big Ten Championship, setting the tournament record for 54 holes at nine-under, 207. To view her full bio, please visit: http://www.purduesports.com/sports/w-golf/mtt/august_kim_864546.html

Megan Kim is a junior at the University of Michigan, and one of four Wolverines to start all 11 tournaments in the 2016-2017 season. Kim made two consecutive NCAA Team Championships appearances, as well as two consecutive NCAA Team Regional appearances. To view her full bio, please visit: http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-golf/mtt/megan_kim_912389.html

The 2017 Meijer LPGA Classic will host a full field of 144 of the best women golfers for 72 holes of stroke play over four days of competition. Proceeds from the tournament – and each of the week's festivities – will once again benefit the Meijer Simply Give program that restocks the shelves of food pantries across the Midwest. To date, the Meijer LPGA Classic has generated more than $2.1 million for food pantries in the communities it serves.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates more than 230 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer has a fundamental philosophy aimed at strengthening the communities it serves and proudly donates more than 6 percent of its net profit each year to charities throughout the Midwest. With hunger as a corporate philanthropic focus, Meijer partners with hundreds of food banks and pantries through its Simply Give and food rescue programs. Meijer also supports education, disaster relief, and health and wellness initiatives. For additional information on Meijer philanthropy, please visit www.meijercommunity.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

About Blythefield Country Club: Located just north of Grand Rapids, Blythefield has been providing families the best golf and social experience in West Michigan since 1928. With the Rogue River flowing through, Blythefield boasts one of the most beautiful championship layouts in Michigan. Previously, Blythefield has hosted the 1953 Western Amateur, the 1961 Western Open, won by Arnold Palmer, and the 2005 Western Junior won by Rickie Fowler. Beginning in 2014, Blythefield is honored to host the Meijer LPGA Classic. Learn more about Blythefield Country Club at www.blythefieldcc.org.