Quad Cities to Host NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships
January 22, 2020
Quad Cities (Wednesday, January 22, 2020) – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) officially announced today that the Quad Cities will host the 2023 & 2024 NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships.
This is the first time the Quad Cities has served as host of the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships. 156 student-athletes from across the U.S. will compete for a national title during the week-long tournament. Student-athletes, coaches, NAIA administrators, and spectators will be in the Quad Cities for multiple days experiencing the QC and our world-class TPC Deere Run.
For four consecutive years, the Quad Cities will be the epicenter for NAIA Golf Championships with the 2021 & 2022 Men’s Championships and the 2023 & 2024 Women’s Championships.
“As we strive to improve our athletics across the board to be part of a consistent national conversation in the NAIA, the opportunity to host a national championship is a tremendous boon,” said Mike Holmes, Athletic Director, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa. “Our athletes will recognize our desire to be a leader in our NAIA stewardship. And, at the same time, we will have the opportunity to showcase our community and University to a large population of fellow NAIA members. Hosting is a ‘pump-your-fist’ moment for St. Ambrose, TPC Deere Run, and Visit Quad Cities.”
“I don’t think enough praise and recognition can go to the staff at Visit Quad Cities and St. Ambrose University,” said Todd Hajduk, PGA, General Manager/Director of Golf, TPC Deere Run. “They have put in endless hours to make this event possible. Both organizations have been instrumental in showcasing what the Quad Cities community has to offer, which started back in 2009 when we hosted the first of now six Men’s Golf Championships. Our team at TPC Deere Run could not be more excited to host the Women’s National Championships. We look forward to bringing the same level of attention and quality to this event as we do every year when hosting the John Deere Classic.”
“On behalf of the Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors, our team, and the Quad Cities regional destination, we are thrilled to serve as host of the 2023 and 2024 NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “The strong partnership among the NAIA, St. Ambrose University, TPC Deere Run, and Visit Quad Cities will deliver an incredible experience for the NAIA’s student-athletes, administrators, and fans. TPC Deere Run is one of the best golf venues in the United States. We look forward to showcasing the QC as some of the best collegiate golfers in the country compete for the national title. Women’s intercollegiate athletics is critically important to Visit Quad Cities, our brand narrative, and our region’s people attraction strategy. This is a unique opportunity and privilege, and we are grateful for the NAIA’s confidence in the Quad Cities.”
The NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships have been held in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (2017-18), and Oklahoma City, Okla. (2019-20).
The Quad Cities previously hosted the men’s tournament in 2009-2011 and 2016-2018. In 2019, St. Ambrose University and Visit Quad Cities hosted the NAIA Competitive Cheer & Dance National Championships. The Competitive Cheer & Dance National Championships were set to return on March 13-14, 2020, to Lee Lohman Arena, but were cancelled due to COVID-19 policies.
About NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. Since 1937, the NAIA has administered programs dedicated to championships in balance with the overall college educational experience. Each year more than 65,000 NAIA student-athletes have the opportunity to play college sports, earn over $600 million in scholarships, and compete for a chance to participate in 26+ national championships. www.naia.org
About Visit Quad Cities
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the official Destination Marketing and Management Organization (DMMO) for the region. Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine charged with driving economic opportunity through tourism, building our authentic brand, telling & selling the Quad Cities story, and enhancing Quad Citizens’ quality of life. www.visitquadcities.com
###
Media Contact: Charlotte Doehler-Morrison, VP Marketing & Communications, Visit Quad Cities, 309-736-6821 or [email protected]