31 Jul 2024 ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour brings attention and funds to Central Arkansas

Posted at 7:24 PMh in Sports by

The fifth Annual Genesis of Conway Central Arkansas Open professional women’s golf tournament was played July 10-13 at Centennial Valley Country Club in Conway. More than 100 golfers from 20 countries, in addition to the U.S., competed for the $10,000 top prize purse. 

Paul Gaul (from left), Pete Tanguay, Jason Hollis, Nita Freeman, Yeji Kwon, April Worley and Brent Worley. Photos by Marissa McCardell-ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour.

This was the ninth tournament in the 2024 ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT) season, which is the road to the LPGA for aspiring women golfers. The tournament was established and is presented by Rock Pond Pros, with Genesis of Conway as the title sponsor.

“The Central Arkansas Open Women’s golf tournament aligns well with our core mission,” said Chris Crain, Genesis of Conway dealer/principal. “It is a high-value event for our community, has an impact on youth who aspire to be professional athletes and has a mission to empower women to dream without limits. We are proud to bring the first luxury car dealership to Conway and are happy to take the lead as the title sponsor for this professional golf tournament.” 

The Genesis of Conway Central Arkansas Open is more than a four-day professional golf tournament; it is a week where Conway families open their homes to professional golfers from around the world, according to a press release. 

The golfers compete for $55,000 in prize money, hoping to make it to the LPGA and have a life of professional golf. The Open is one of only a few professional athletic events played in Central Arkansas and the only one ever played in Faulkner County, according to Pete Tanguay, founder of Rock Pond Pros and the golf tournament. 

“We’ve worked hard to put together a first-class team to deliver a world-class event right here in Central Arkansas,” Tanguay said. “Although during the tournament week, the focus is on professional golf for the players and spectators, the year-round vision is to empower women to dream without limits. This starts with the professional women golfers from all parts of the world and extends to women of all ages in Central Arkansas through our partnership with the Women’s Leadership Network, Haven House and the Arkansas Community Foundation here in Conway.”

For five years tournament proceeds have been donated to local nonprofits that benefit women, according to Tanguay. This year, the Arkansas Community Foundation received $10,000 for an endowment called Funding Faulkner Forever, bringing total gifts to $70,000 (one year they had a matching donor). The Women’s Leadership Academy received $3,500, and a $5,000 gift will establish the Dream Without Limits Garden at Haven House, bringing total gifts to $15,000 and $7,000 respectively.

The tournament provides an opportunity for aspiring junior golfers and people of any age who love the game of golf to meet, play and talk with the pros. 

“The Genesis of Conway Central Arkansas Open has been a special tournament for us the past five years,” said Abai O’Neill, ANNIKA WAPT tournament manager. “The Conway community has greatly shown their support by opening their homes to host our players and showing up to cheer on the women as they play a game they all hold special to their heart. We are grateful to have had another successful event!”