Peter Gay: A great event for the area

Please allow me to share some thoughts and observations while realizing how the local economy has benefitted and area golf fans have been blessed with PGA and LPGA tournaments at TPC Boston in Norton.

The Ladies Professional Golf Association will be back at TPC Boston next weekend for a second straight year. Last year's FM Championship marked the return of the women's tour after two decades without a stop in New England.

When the LPGA's Megan Kang was approached by one of her sponsors (FM) wanting to know what the tour looks for in a sponsor, the Rockland native gave them a list in hopes they would do one or two of the items. FM's response was "done" and is why the tour will be in the area again next week.

What is FM? Well, it has nothing to do with radio. FM, formerly known as FM Global, is a specialized commercial property insurer focused on loss prevention and risk management. They offer insurance and related services, including engineering expertise, to help businesses minimize property damage and business interruption. The company is located in Johnston, R.I., so the tournament is in their backyard.

Although the FM Championship is only in its second year, next week's tournament is a big draw for both players and golf fans alike. The $4.1 million purse is the largest non-major and championship purse on the LPGA Tour. Only the U.S. Women's Open at $12 million, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at $12 million, the year-end CME Group Tour Championship at $11 million, the AIG Women's Open at $9.75 million, the Chevron Championship at $8 million and the Amundi Evian Championship at $8 million offer more in prize money. FM also gives the players flight credits and pays for their hotel rooms.

More than 25,000 people attended last year's tournament with even more expected this year. Khang will be joined by two other Massachusetts' natives: Brittany Altomare from Shrewsbury and Alexa Pano from Westboro. The top two players in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings, Jeeno Thitikul and Nelly Korda, will also be playing next week in Norton. In addition, all five major champions have committed.

Those of you who attended last year's tournament know it was difficult to buy clothing and other souvenirs with the FM Championship logo. That won't be the case in year two. The TPC Boston pro shop will have a wide variety of clothing and a merchandise tent will have LPGA items.

Not only can spectators get much closer to the action than when the men were playing at TPC, the tickets — available at fmchampionship.com — are also less expensive. The cost for a single day ticket on Thursday and Friday is only $59 and for $64 for Saturday and Sunday. The best deal is a weekly pass for Thursday through Sunday at $124 or $31 a day.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the LPGA Tour, the oldest continuing women's professional sports organization in the nation. One of the women responsible for that longevity attended Monday's Media Day event. LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame member Pat Bradley joined Khang to answer questions. The Hyannis resident told reporters the total purse for the 30 events one year she played was only $1.4 million. Bradley is the aunt of U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley.

The Mass Golf museum, located on the left as you drive up Arnold Palmer Boulevard on your way to TPC, has a room dedicated to Bradley.

Asked who would make up her dream foursome, Bradley answered it her dad, Keegan, her brother Mark (Keegan's father) and another brother. "That's five," Khang responded. "I'd be the pro," Bradley countered.

Khang's foursome would include her dad, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. "Knowing my dad, he'd want to play a match against Tiger and Rory," Khang joked. "I don't think we'd win because my dad would be star struck."

I'll have a full report on this year's tournament in two weeks, Sept. 3.