Kraft Nabisco Tourney to Support Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

The Kraft Nabisco Championship announced Wednesday that its pro-am tournament in April will support the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

Hazelden Betty Ford -- the new merger of the Rancho Mirage treatment center and Minnesota-based addiction treatment facilities -- will be the LPGA tournament's main benefit charity this year, according to event spokesman Damian Secore.

The Kraft Nabisco Pro-Am presented by Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation will be held April 2, and the LPGA tournament is April 1-6 at Mission Hills Country Club 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."

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

Pro-am participants can play with pro golfers including Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Karrie Webb and Michele Wie, Secore said.

A single-player package is $3,500 and a foursome package is $12,000. For information, call Dianne McPherson at (760) 324-4546 or go to www.kncgolf.com.

The Kraft Nabisco Championship, which is entering is 43rd year, is the first of five major championships on the LPGA Tour. More than 100 female golfers from around the world compete for $2 million, with $300,000 going to the winner. The champion takes a traditional, celebratory leap into "Poppie's Pond" at the 18th green.

— City News Service.