July 2017 | 9 Subscribe today at juniorgolfmag.net LPGA Hall-of-Famer Annika Sörenstam continues to impact the sport, and the world itself, years after retiring from competitive golf. Her ANNIKA Foundation charity pro- vides opportunities in women’s golf at the ju- nior, collegiate and professional levels while teaching young people the importance of liv- ing a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition. The Foundation annually conducts five ma- jor golf events for female junior golfers: the ANNIKA Invitational in the United States; ANNIKA Invitational at Mission Hills in Chi- na; ANNIKA Invitational Europe; ANNIKA Cup in Sweden; and ANNIKA Invitational Latin America in Argentina. Annika herself is intimately involved with, and on-site for, each of the tournaments, all of which feature ex- tremely competitive fields. “We’re very proud of the fact that since our first event in 2009, more than 200 ANNIKA Invitational participants have gone on to play NCAA Division I golf, with several reaching the LPGA,” says Annika, winner of 10 major championships and captain of Europe’s 2017 Solheim Cup team. “It’s inspiring and energiz- ing to be around the girls year after year and to play a small role in helping them realize their dreams, on and off the course.” At the collegiate level, the Foundation annual- ly hosts the ANNIKA Intercollegiate Present- ed by 3M, which will move from Orlando to Minneapolis this fall. It also awards the AN- NIKA Award Presented by 3M to the most outstanding female NCAA Division I golfer. One of the highlights of the year for younger golfers is the “Share My Passion” Clinic. Held in conjunction with LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the unique event asks girls ages 6–12 to write an open letter to other girls their age, explain- ing why they love the game of golf. Based on their letters, 40 girls are chosen to attend the inspirational clinic. The day-long event, which was held earlier this year at the ANA Inspi- ration, includes instruction from Annika and top LPGA Teaching Professionals and special The ANNIKA Foundation Taps into Young Women’s Potential BY JUNIOR GOLF STAFF access to the ANA Junior Inspiration awards ceremony. Another important initiative from the Foun- dation includes partnering with SPARK, an organization dedicated to creating, imple- menting and evaluating research-based pro- grams that promote lifelong wellness. The Foundation also supports Florida Hospital for Children’s Healthy 100 Kids – a comprehen- sive, first-of-its kind health program that helps families gain better access to health and well- ness experts in one convenient location – and The First Tee’s Nine Healthy Habits, a new framework that focuses on promoting health and wellness through golf. Through tournaments, clinics and partner- ships, the ANNIKA Foundation promotes healthy, active lifestyles for children year- round, across the globe. As such, it demon- strates golf’s amazing potential to be a differ- ence-maker in the lives of so many. For more information: www.annikasorenstam.com/ foundation ANNIKA Foundation events raise money and awareness for girls' golf and health. Left: Hall-of-Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam personally oversees the tournaments.