Kraft Nabisco Pro-Am Begins, Proceeds to Benefit Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Wednesday's Kraft Nabisco Championship pro-am round at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage will support the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

The foundation -- the product of the merger of the Rancho Mirage treatment center and Minnesota-based Hazelden -- is the nation's largest nonprofit addiction treatment provider, with 15 sites in California and eight other states. It will be the LPGA tournament's main benefit charity.

Proceeds from the pro-am will help cover the treatment of patients at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage.

"This brings the iconic legacies of honorary LPGA members Dinah Shore and Betty Ford together after 28 years," said tournament director Gabe Codding.

"The opportunity for the most historic event in women's golf to partner with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation to support the cause of addiction treatment and celebrate the legacy of former first lady Betty Ford is truly special and significant."

The amateur participants will play with such professionals as Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Karrie Webb and Michele Wie.

Tickets for the pro-am are $15. Information and tickets are available at www.kncgolf.com.

The four-round Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the year on the LPGA Tour, begins Thursday.

– City News Service.