Kim wins Meijer LPGA Classic in playoff

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, June 19, 2016

GRAND RAPIDS — Sei Young Kim of South Korea needed just one playoff hole to win the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simple Give played at Blythefield Country Club Sunday.

Sei Young Kim claimed the title as the Meijer LPGA Classic champion, making this her sixth LPGA Tour victory and her second win this year.

Kim said this tournament was extra special because her dad was watching in the stands on Father’s Day.

“I’m very happy to on the Father’s Day give it to my dad … this trophy,” she said. “I played with Lexi Thompson last defending champion, so I’m very honored to play with her. She’s a great competitor.”

“On behalf of everyone at Meijer, we congratulate Sei Young Kim on a great win at the Meijer LPGA Classic,” Meijer President Rick Keyes said. “It was a fantastic end to a wonderful week. This year’s tournament was once again fully embraced by the community.”

While attendance figures are not yet available, representatives said the tournament continued to exceed expectations.

In total, the three tournaments generated more than $2.1 million for the Meijer Simply Give program.

Meijer started Simply Give in November 2008 and has since generated nearly $22 million for its food pantry partners. The contributions donated as a result of the Meijer LPGA Classic are due, in large part, to the generous Meijer customers who attended the tournament week events, and the sponsors who helped make the event a success.

The $850,000 donation will be divided among the retailer’s more than 200 food pantry partners participating in the spring Simply Give campaign, which ended today.

“The Meijer Simply Give program is extremely important to our food pantry because it helps us to provide healthy and nutritious food to our neighbors,” said Waverly Knight, a director of the Northwest Food Pantry. “Without the program, our food pantry shelves would be very empty. We thank Meijer for their willingness to have the Simply Give program and the community for their support in helping feed those in need.”