CME Group and Diamond Resorts to Honor Contracts with Expectant Tour Mother, Brittany Lincicome →

Brittany Lincicome, eight-time champion on the LPGA Tour, recently announced that she and her husband are expecting their first child on September 1, 2019. Following her announcement, two of her long-standing sponsors, Diamond Resorts and CME Group, both declared their support for Lincicome and her growing family, by committing to honor their contracts with her.

“We congratulate Brittany on her growing family, and we are happy to honor her full contract for the season,” said Terry Duffy, CME Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “At CME Group, a commitment to equality and fair competition is at the heart of our business. That’s why the CME Tour Championship purse is now the highest payout in women’s golf. We are proud to support the talented, diverse athletes of the LPGA, and proud to do our part to support working parents.”

 Similarly, Mike Flaskey, CEO of Diamond Resorts said, “Brittany is part of our Diamond Resorts family. We are committed to extending to Brittany time to connect with and care for her family, and feel strongly as an organization that women should not have to choose between a family and a career. Honoring Brittany’s contract was a no-brainer – it’s just another opportunity for us to show her how much she and her game mean to us. We are excited for Brittany and her family.”

 Together, Diamond Resorts and CME Group are hoping to change the precedent for expectant mothers on Tour.

 “I really can’t express how grateful I am for the outpouring of support from both CME and Diamond Resorts,” said Lincicome. “It is a wonderful feeling knowing that my sponsors care deeply for me as both a player and a person. This type of thing is not commonplace and I am so thankful for the opportunities they are both giving to me and my family.”

ABOUT CME GROUP

As the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, CME Group (www.cmegroup.com) enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and OTC markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data – empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities. CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural products and metals.  The company offers futures and options on futures trading through the CME Globex® platform, fixed income trading via BrokerTec and foreign exchange trading on the EBS platform.  In addition, it operates one of the world's leading central counterparty clearing providers, CME Clearing.  With a range of pre- and post-trade products and services underpinning the entire lifecycle of a trade, CME Group also offers optimization and reconciliation services through TriOptima, and trade processing services through Traiana. 

CME Group, the Globe logo, CME, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Globex, and, E-mini are trademarks of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.  CBOT and Chicago Board of Trade are trademarks of Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc.  NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange and ClearPort are trademarks of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc.  COMEX is a trademark of Commodity Exchange, Inc. BrokerTec, EBS, TriOptima, and Traiana are trademarks of BrokerTec Europe LTD, EBS Group LTD, TriOptima AB, and Traiana, Inc., respectively.  Dow Jones, Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and S&P are service and/or trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and S&P/Dow Jones Indices LLC, as the case may be, and have been licensed for use by Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

 ABOUT DIAMOND RESORTS

Diamond Resorts offers destinations, events and experiences to help members make a habit of breaking from the routine. From unforgettable getaways to exclusive concert series to VIP receptions and dinners, members turn to Diamond to recharge, reconnect and remind each other what matters most. Our focus on quality resorts, customer service and flexibility means members can return to a favorite resort, book a cruise to explore new countries or attend a once-in-a-lifetime event with the same level of confidence and anticipation. With access to a world of entertainment and activities, a Diamond membership ensures that people are always looking forward to vacation.

Inaugural LECOM Suncoast Classic Boasts Impressive Field

Monday morning will mark the commencement of the inaugural LECOM Suncoast Classic, the newest stop on the Web.com Tour’s annual schedule. Hosted at Lakewood National Golf Club, the LECOM Suncoast Classic will welcome 144 professionals to the field for next week’s competition. 

The first-time event holds an impressive roster including many veteran players from the PGA TOUR. Ricky Barnes, Chad Campbell, Mike Weir, David Lingmerth, Angel Cabrera, and Boo Weekly are amongst the highly competitive group of athletes who will battle for next week’s win. 

The field also includes young, up-and-coming talent such as Norman Xiong, Maverick McNealy and Robby Shelton. Danny Walker, a Lakewood Ranch native, will also be in contention in his hometown next week. 

Although the field is still subject to change, the competition is sure to be fierce as veterans, rookies, and all in between seek to earn their place amidst the world’s best on the PGA TOUR. Tickets can be purchased at lecomsuncoastclassic.com.

ABOUT LECOM SUNCOAST CLASSIC

The LECOM Suncoast Classic is a new tournament on the Web.com Tour which is set to debut on the annual schedule in 2019. LECOM 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. For more information, please visit lecomsuncoastclassic.com.

Rea signs with Cubs →

If things go as expected in spring training, expect a caravan from Cascade to Des Moines every time Colin Rea takes the mound.

Rea signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs Jan. 9. The deal is a one-year minor league contract with an invitation to the Cubs big league spring training.

Rea was designated for assignment and released by the San Diego Padres in November. Since that release, he and his agent, Joe Speed, have been considering offers from several major league teams. Rea said the deal with the Cubs is a good fit for him.

“I couldn’t ask for much better,” he said. “There were some other teams that were interested with the same type of deal, but the convenience of pitching in Des Moines and being close to home and playing for the Cubs put us over the top.”

Speed said five other clubs were negotiating with Rea. “I told Colin that we were probably getting near the end of new teams coming into play. Right after I had that conversation with Colin, the Cubs called. That kind of changed things. The opportunity to put on a Cubs uniform and step on the mound in Wrigley Field was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

Rea said the Cubs need pitchers in their minor league system. “They have a lack of depth at the upper levels of the minor leagues. That’s what they told us. It’s a good opportunity to get some good eyes on me in spring training and for me to make a good impression. Then if something were to happen during the season, hopefully, that’s where they remember me from spring training and good things happen from there.”

Speed said Rea knows what he needs to do. “Colin needs to go out and show that he’s healthy. If he gets back to his best self, we’re certainly confident that will lead to bigger and better things.”

Speed was in Cascade the weekend before the deal, finalizing terms of the contract. “Just to see the reactions of Colin’s family and extended family to the news we were going to sign with the Cubs was something special that I’ll never forget.”

Rea has been working out at the Cubs facility in Arizona and plans to continue workouts until pitchers and catchers report in February.

Rea is 24 months removed from Tommy John surgery. “I’ve been throwing since after Christmas. Soon I’ll start to speed my arm up and back up to get some long toss in. My arm is feeling stronger and better.”

“We’re excited about this opportunity. I’ve had that dream of putting on a Cubs uniform and playing in Wrigley Field. It will be pretty special if we can get to that point.”

Giants' Travis Bergen: Gets shot in SF →

Bergen was selected by the Giants with the eighth pick in the Rule 5 draft.

A 25-year-old southpaw, Bergen logged an impressive 0.50 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 35.2 innings as a reliever for the Blue Jays at Triple-A last year. Of course, if he were as good as those numbers indicate, he would not have been left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft. He joins a bullpen with several southpaws (Will Smith, Tony Watson, potentially Ty Blach), so Bergen may be returned to Toronto if he does not impress in camp.

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.

More...

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.