Sterling Sports Management Takes on Three Rising Stars

In recent months, Sterling Sports Management has added three promising young golfers to their clientele, including Jillian Hollis (Symetra Tour), Steven Ihm (Web.com Tour), and Lauren Stephenson (LPGA Tour). As some of the top amateur golfers in the country and in the world during their respective college careers, they each possess the drive to join the history of success at Sterling.

Hollis, 21, holds the University of Georgia’s all-time stroke average and low single round score of 65. She finished her three-year college career with four wins, 18 top-ten finishes, and an NCAA tournament record of 11-under par. As she emerged onto the professional scene, she made the cut at the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open, then joined the Symetra Tour halfway through the season. She earned three top-10 finishes in her first 11 events, and has proven herself as fierce competition on the road to the LPGA Tour.

Ihm, 26, earned his place as number 11 in the US Amateur Rankings during his time at the University of Iowa. He received a sponsor exemption to the 2013 John Deere Classic during his collegiate career, and made his professional debut with a sponsor exemption to the same event one year later, where he finished T27. Ihm finished the 2018 Web.com Tour season with two top-three finishes in only eight starts. His accurate drives, fine-tuned putting and level-headed game make him a strong competitor as he works his way toward the PGA Tour.

Stephenson, 21, a University of Alabama student, boasts an impressive collegiate resume as a member of the 2018 U.S. Curtis Cup and Palmer Cup teams, First Team WGCA All-American, First Team All-SEC and 2018 Annika Award finalist. As the record holder for the lowest women’s scoring average in the history of the NCAA, Alabama’s co-record-holder at with a low 54 score, and countless other accomplishments, she claimed her place as the number-four female amateur in the world. With her T8 finish at the 2018 LPGA Q-Series, she will tee off as a rookie on the LPGA Tour in the 2019 season.

Each with an impressive list of golf accolades and achievements, Hollis, Ihm and Stephenson are three excellent additions to the Sterling family. Their class and talent on and off the course are sure to contribute to their success on the PGA and LPGA Tours.

University of Alabama Golf Star Lauren Stephenson Turns Professional →

Lauren Stephenson of University of Alabama, the number-four ranked female amateur golfer in the world, turned professional last week after her top performance in the LPGA’s Q-Series. She finished four under in the eight rounds at Pinehurst No. 6 and Pinehurst No. 7, with an overall score of 572 and T8 finish. 

Stephenson, 21, a Lexington, SC resident, began her collegiate career at Clemson University, where she became the school’s first female golfer to play in the NCAA Tournament. After her freshman year at Clemson, she transferred to University of Alabama where she claimed her place as one of the top amateur golfers in the world before emerging onto the professional scene, with 16 top-five finishes in 22 career events at Alabama.

Stephenson boasts an impressive collegiate resume as a member of the 2018 U.S. Curtis Cup and Palmer Cup teams, First Team WGCA All-American, First Team All-SEC and 2018 Annika Award finalist. As the record holder for the lowest women’s scoring average in the history of the NCAA, and co-school record-holder at Alabama with a low 54 score, she is indisputably a player to watch as she tees off on the LPGA Tour.

Keegan McGovern selected as Midwest League Player of the Week

Keegan McGovern, MiLB outfielder for the Clinton LumberKings, was named Midwest League Player of the Week for July 12-22. 

The LumberKings ended 9-2 after an impressive week where McGovern batted .429. During his remarkable performance, he scored five runs, including a double, two homers, eight RBIs and five walks. He also stole home once. 

Clinton Herald: http://www.clintonherald.com/sports/keegan-mcgovern-named-midwest-league-player-of-the-week/article_500ac620-080d-5b5d-9688-e6b2f9c22137.html

One Week, Two Second Place Finishes

Last week, two Sterling athletes, Joel Dahmen, PGA, and Brittany Lincicome, LPGA, each placed second at their respective Tour events. Dahmen finished T2 at the 2018 John Deere Classic, marking his best finish yet on the PGA TOUR. Lincicome placed second in the 2018 Marathon Classic after a playoff verses Thidapa Suwannapura. Although landing as the runner-up, Lincicome's performance, with only three bogies over four days and -14 overall, is a sure momentum boost as she stamps history this week at the PGA TOUR's 2018 Barbasol Championship. 

PGATOUR.com - https://www.pgatour.com/the-upshot/2018/07/15/michael-kim-cruises-to-first-victory-2018-john-deere-classic.html

LPGA.com - http://www.lpga.com/news/2018-what-you-missed-from-the-weekend-marathon-classic

Albertson earns maiden Tour title at Lincoln Land Championship

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Anders Albertson birdied seven holes in a row at Panther Creek Country Club on Sunday afternoon en route to his maiden Web.com Tour title at the third annual Lincoln Land Championship presented by LRS. Albertson carded a final-round 63 and posted 25-under-par to beat Adam Long and Kramer Hickok by two strokes.

LPGA professional Brittany Lincicome to receive Exemption to 2018 Barbasol Championship

LPGA professional Brittany Lincicome has accepted a Sponsor Exemption to compete in the 2018 Barbasol Championship, to be held July 16-22 at Keene Trace Golf Club outside Lexington, Kentucky. In doing so, Lincicome will become just the fifth female in history to compete in a PGA TOUR event, joining Babe Zahraias, Annika Sorenstam, Suzy Whaley and Michelle Wie.

Lincicome, 32, is an eight-time LPGA winner, including back-to-back titles at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic champion in 2017 and 2018. The six-time U.S. Solheim Cup Team member was the first professional athlete to be signed by Perio, Inc., the parent company of the Barbasol brand, in 2009.

“Brittany holds a very unique and special place within Perio,” said Tom Murray, CEO of Perio, Inc. “Signing Brittany nine years ago for a Pure Silk TV commercial has blossomed into a significant position for our company within golf (two tournaments and 32 professional golfers across the four major tours). Furthermore, her talent as a champion golfer and her character as an exceptional individual make her a most worthy Sponsor Exemption.”

One of the longest hitters on the LPGA, Lincicome looks forward to the challenge of competing at the Barbasol Championship. “I feel very grateful to Barbasol for its confidence in my abilities and for affording me the opportunity to play amongst the top male athletes in professional golf,” she said. “While I am aware of the strength of competition I will be up against, I am looking forward to the event and can only promise to put forth my best effort and be proud whatever the outcome.”

The Barbasol Championship, an official event in the PGA TOUR’s 2018 FedExCup Season, has selected the Kentucky Children’s Hospital as one of the primary charitable beneficiaries of the event, using its Birdies for the Bluegrass initiative to rally financial support for the cause. For more information on Birdies for the Bluegrass or to receive updates related to the event, follow @BarbasolChampionshipKY on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Web.com Tour announces Suncoast Classic as newest addition to annual schedule

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Web.com Tour announced today a new tournament set to debut on the annual schedule in 2019. The Suncoast Classic, which will be contested at Lakewood National Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, will be held the week of February 11-17, with 144 players competing for a $550,000 purse. A five-year deal is in place through 2023.

Nate Jones Honored by March of Dimes and Comcast

Nate Jones was honored at the 26th Annual Comcast SportsNet Sports Awards for his outstanding work in the community as well as his play on the field.

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You can read more about it from Comcast SportsNet by clicking here.

Sterling Welcomes Dennis Harrington and Orasi Clients

The PGA and Champion Tour clients of Orasi Sports, including Chad Campbell, Loren Roberts, Russ Cochran and Skip Kendall were welcomed into the Sterling Sports Management family along with their agent, Dennis Harrington. This strengthens Sterling’s position in the golf agency marketplace by adding a roster of well-known PGA & Champions Tour players to its list of marquee LPGA stars.

Jack Hannahan’s Special Bond with Cancer Patient

Dad: "I'm not sure he saved Luke's life. But I'm sure he had a hand in it''. Seeing professional athletes trying to buoy the spirits of sick kids has become almost commonplace. What’s not common though is to see one forge a lasting relationship with the child. Meet Jack Hannahan and his friend, Luke Strotman.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130310/COL03/303100093/Doc-Red-has-special-bond-cancer-patient?nclick_check=1

Katherine Hull Inducted into West Coast Conference Hall of Honor

Congratulations to Katherine Hull who became the 1st golfer – male or female – to be inducted into the West Coast Conference Hall of Honor! This follows shortly after Katherine was inducted into the WGCA (Women’s Golf Coaches Association) Players Hall of Fame in 2012 and was the 1st female inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. http://www.pepperdinesports.com/sports/w-golf/spec-rel/031013aaa.html

Stacy Lewis Wins the HSBC Women’s Champions

Stacy Lewis continued her winning ways in 2013 by winning the prestigious tournament of champions called the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore. In so doing, Stacy took over the top spot on the LPGA's Money List and has taken dead aim at the world #1 ranking by closing the gap between her and Yani Tseng to just about half of one point. Here’s how the Associated Press covered the story:

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/lewis-holds-win-hsbc-champions-6th-title

Hannahan Excited to Play in Cincinnati without a DH

After playing in the American League for 5 teams, Jack Hannahan is excited to be playing in the National League, where no DH combined with his versatility will make him a very valuable new addition. http://www.foxsportsohio.com/02/26/13/Reds-Hannahan-excited-to-play-without-th/landing_reds.html?blockID=870233&feedID=3725&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Nate Jones Impressive at White Sox Spring Training

Nate Jones looks like he has picked up where he left off in his 8-0, .239 ERA 2012 season, impressing teammates and coaches at spring training. http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/white-sox/post/_/id/13481/jones-impressive-early-in-camp

Stacy Lewis Wins Rolex LPGA Player of the Year Award

Congratulations to Stacy Lewis on making history by winning the Rolex LPGA Player of the Year Award! In doing so, she became the 1^st American to win the LPGA’s most prestigious award in 18 years.  What a year; four tournament wins, almost $2 million in earnings, #3 in the world in the Rolex Rankings and two cars!

Here’s how one prominent golf publication covered it:

http://golfweek.com/news/2012/nov/17/lewis-overcomes-adversity-win-lpga-poy-honors/

Stacy Lewis to be included in the EA “Tiger Woods PGA Tour” Golf Video Game

Electronic Arts announced that Stacy Lewis would be included in the newest version of their “Tiger Woods PGA Tour” golf video game. The 2013 Version with also feature 3 other LPGA players as well as the LPGA logo for the first time.

Brittany Lincicome & Stacy Lewis Win Kia Optima Limited

Congratulations to Brittany Lincicome and Stacy Lewis for winning a brand new 2013 Kia Optima Limited each.  At the season ending CME Group Titleholders, Brittany was presented with her Kia Optima for winning the Kia Power Drive Award.  This award recognized the LPGA Player who was the tour’s longest driver.  This year, Brittany averaged 276 yards which was 5 yards further than the 2^nd place finisher.  Stacy was presented with her new 2013 Kia Optima for winning the Kia Drive to the Top Award.  It goes to the LPGA player who finishes the season with the most Top 10 Finishes and in 2012, Stacy had 16 top 10 finishes in 26 events played. http://www.lpga.com/golf/news/2012/11/kia-award-winners.aspx

Betsy King & Stacy Lewis Win ISPS Handa Heroes Charity Event

Stacy Lewis partnered with Betsy King to win the ISPS Handa Heroes Charity Event.  Stacy and Betsy earned a collective $60,000 for their charities Scoliosis Research Society (SRS.org) and Golf Fore Africa (GolfForeAfrica.org).  Stacy followed this event by announcing that she would also donate a further $20,000 to the SRS. http://www.lpga.com/golf/news/2012/11/stacy-lewis-and-betsy-king-win-isps-handa-heroes-charity-event.aspx

Brittany Lincicome Signs with CME Group

CME Group announced that they have signed an endorsement agreement with Brittany Lincicome.  CME Group is the world’s leading derivative marketplace and the title sponsor of the LPGA CME Group Titleholders which serves as the final event of each LPGA season.  Brittany Lincicome is a 5 time winner on the LPGA Tour, including a major, a 3 time US Solheim Cup team member and has never finished outside of the top 3 in driving distance since joining the tour in 2005. http://investor.cmegroup.com/investor-relations/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=721228

Stacy Lewis Makes Sponsor Happy by Winning Mizuno Classic

She did it again!  Stacy Lewis won for the 4^th time in 2012 by winning the LPGA’s Mizuno Classic in Japan – a tournament sponsored by her very happy golf club sponsor Mizuno.  This time, Lewis shot a final round 64 that included 10 birdies and finished with birdies on the last three holes to come from 7 shots back to win by 1.  She now has a virtually insurmountable lead in the LPGA Player of the Year (PoY) race with two tournaments remaining.  Should Lewis win the PoY award, she would become the first American player to win that award in 18 years.