LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan, LPGA star Anna Nordquist of Sweden and Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen are thrilled that the International Crown is coming to Kane County in 2016.

Coming off last week’s inaugural International Crown world team championship, the LPGA on Friday announced that Calamos and Rolex will participate as Ambassador Sponsors for the second edition of the event scheduled for July 2016 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove.

“When we bring the International Crown to Rich Harvest Farms in 2016, it will feel like no other golf event you’ve ever been to,” LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan told a Friday luncheon gathering of business leaders, government officials and media at Hotel Arista in Naperville.

Whan said corporate partners are the key to the success of LPGA events, and noted that every week on tour every player and caddie are provided with the names and photos of  key supporters of that particular event.

“We don’t succeed without corporate partners,” Whan said. “Our corporate sponsors make us big. And ‘big’ is coming to Chicago.”

John P. Calamos, Sr., CEO of Calamos Investments, said he is sponsoring the International Crown because he and his company enjoyed and benefitted from their  Solheim Cup  experience in 2009.

“We really liked the team aspect of the event, and Rich Harvest Farms was a tremendous venue for us to be able to entertain our customers,” Calamos said. “I also like the different countries and the international flavor of the event. The atmosphere is very good. Our clients loved it.”

Rolex is the “Official Timepiece of the LPGA” and is integrally involved in the International Crown as sponsor of the Rolex Rankings through which teams and individual players qualify for the event.

Whan was joined by LPGA star Anna Nordquist of Sweden, which finished runner up to Spain in the first International Crown at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland. Nordquist, who went 3-0-1, at Caves Valley, said she looks forward to playing at Rich Harvest Farms, where she played on the 2009 Solheim Cup team.

“Of all the Solheim Cups I’ve played, I’ve never seen as many spectators as I’ve seen in Chicago,” Nordquist said. “It means a lot when people come out and watch. Chicago has more golf fans and they are very knowledgable and have a love for the game. There are a lot of sports teams here and a very strong sports culture.”

Rich Harvest Farms owner Jerry Rich said he plans to invite girls high school golf teams to attend the tournament, and will push to involve Chicago’s diverse communities.

“We’re not only inviting the youth, we’re inviting the ethnic communities of Chicago,” Rich said. “This is going to be one of the greatest golf events ever in the city of Chicago.”

Afterward, Nordquist took photos with many attendees in front of the International Crown trophy, which is 23 inches high and weighs 20 pounds.

SOURCE: Rich Harvest Farms press release