Great Britain’s Trish Johnson will return to defend the BJ’s Charity Championship, albeit with a new partner for this year’s event. Johnson won the 2018 tournament with compatriot Laura Davies, but when Davies learned she had a schedule conflict this year, Johnson sought out another partner for the third annual team-format event. She will pair with Californian Brandie Burton in the BJ’s Charity Championship presented by P&G, set for Sept. 6, at The Ridge Club in Sandwich, Mass.
“I’ve always loved team golf because it’s just so much more fun having a teammate,” said Johnson, 53, of London, who has three LPGA wins, 19 wins on the Ladies European Tour and three Legends Tour victories.
“Brandie is a top player and an even nicer person,” Johnson added. “I’ve known Laura for a long time, but I’m looking forward to something different this year.”
Ironically, Johnson and Burton were foes for many years in Solheim Cup competition. Johnson played for her European side in eight of the biennial events between Europe and the United States with Burton competing on five U.S. Solheim Cup teams.
The two players developed deep respect for each other during those often heated competitions. This year’s Legends Tour event offers them a chance to experience a different kind of energy when the former rivals pair up on the same team.
“Trish is an unbelievable competitor and player,” said Burton, 47, of LaVerne, Calif., who won five LPGA Tour events, including two major championships.
“We competed against each other so much during our careers and now that we get the opportunity to team up together, it should be a lot of fun,” added Burton. “One of the highlights of my career was playing in the Solheim Cup, so any time I have the chance to play in a team event is very exciting.”
The 2019 BJ’s Charity Championship will feature 14 teams of two players in an 18-hole stroke-play competition. The teams will play nine holes of four-ball (better ball of partners) on the front nine holes, followed by nine holes of a scramble format on the back nine. The lowest 18-hole team score will determine the winners.
Admission to the event is free, but donations are welcome at the gate for the BJ’s Charitable Foundation.
There is no on-site parking, but free public parking will be available at nearby Holly Ridge Golf Course and includes shuttle service to and from the tournament entrance.
Gates will open at 9 a.m., on the day of the event, with competition beginning at 10 a.m.
To follow real-time scoring, visit http://www.thelegendstour.com.
To view live action from the first tee during the tournament, check out The Legends Tour YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/legendstour.
Here are the pairings and tee times for this year’s BJ’s Charity Championship:
10 a.m.
Jane Blalock (Cambridge, Mass.) and Patricia Meunier-Lebouc (Jupiter, Fla.)
Elaine Crosby (Jackson, Mich.) and Nancy Scranton (St. Augustine, Fla.)
10:15 a.m.
Allison Finney (Bermuda Dunes, Calif.) and Janet Anderson (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Gail Graham (Kelowna, BC Canada) and *Hollis Stacy (Holmes Beach, Fla.)
10:30 a.m.
*Donna Caponi (Rockport, Mass.) and *Betsy King (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
*Sandra Haynie (Hurst, Texas) and Sandra Palmer (Rancho Mirage, Calif.)
10:45 a.m.
*Jan Stephenson (Sydney, Australia) and Lorie Kane (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
*Pat Bradley (W. Hyannisport, Mass.) and Wendy Ward (Spokane, Wash.)
11 a.m.
Maria Hjorth McBride (Orlando, Fla.) and Laurie Rinker (Stuart, Fla.)
Michelle McGann (North Palm Beach, Fla.) and Suzy Whaley (Hartford, Conn.)
11:15 a.m.
Trish Johnson (London, England) and Brandie Burton (LaVerne, Calif.)
Liselotte Neumann (Rancho Mirage, Calif.) and Alicia Dibos (Greenwich, Conn.)
11:30 a.m.
Rosie Jones (Hilton Head, S.C.) and Michele Redman (Plymouth, Minn.)
Pat Hurst (Danville, Calif.) and *Juli Inkster (Los Altos, Calif.)
*LPGA/World Golf Hall of Fame
About The Legends Tour
The Legends Tour is the official senior tour of the LPGA, providing competitive opportunities for female golfers, professional and eligible amateurs, age 45 and over. The tour was founded in 2000 by 25 veteran LPGA Tour professionals to showcase the talents of some of the greatest women’s golfers of all time. The Legends Tour now has more than 120 members, including 14 LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame members. Legends Tour members have over 750 combined LPGA Tour victories, including 84 major championships. In its 18 seasons, The Legends Tour has awarded more than $17 million in prize money and helped raise nearly $24 million for charity. The Legends Tour has hosted nearly 100 charity golf events and professional tournaments nationwide in multiple states and overseas in Japan and Australia. For additional information on The Legends Tour, log on to www.thelegendstour.com.