When it comes to thinking outside the box, the LPGA has outdone itself this time. On Monday, the ShopRite Classic announced that the last sponsor exemption spot will be handed out via a social media vote on Twitter. No, this is not a reality show. This is an actual sanctioned LPGA Tour event scheduled for the first week of June just outside of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
According to an ESPN report, tournament officials worked with sports social media tracking firm MVP Index (co-founded by Jordan Spieth’s father Shawn), which came up with the top female golfers in social media following who weren’t already qualified for the tournament.
Last spot at @ShopRiteLPGA Classic will be determined by Twitter vote, 4 popular golfers on social media in the mix https://t.co/px7nLIEeHh
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 1, 2017
“We went to MVP Index and said we need your best four,” ShopRite Classic executive director Tim Erensen told Golf Channel. “They have a pretty sophisticated formula that measures the social media prominence of these players.”
The final four are Blair O’Neal, Sharmila Nicollet, Carly Booth and Susana Benavides.
Still, don’t believe us? You can vote here!
We’ve partnered with @MVPindex to award the final spot in our field! Vote now for @MissNicollet @BLAIRONEAL @mumita_b or @CarlyBooth92
— ShopRiteLPGAClassic (@ShopRiteLPGA) May 1, 2017
Voting is open from now until May 8th. Until then, click over to the next few pages and allow us to formally introduce you to the contestants.
— — —
Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest goings-on in the world of golf by following the SwingxSwing Clubhouse on social media. We share stories, stats and breaking news on Twitter, keep the fun going off the course on Instagram and share any and all golf-related topics on Facebook.
SwingxSwing is a golf mobile app, media and entertainment company. The company owns and operates businesses across the following golf categories: GPS & Scorecard, Tee Times, Instruction, E-Sports, Social Media, Entertainment, and Apparel.
The SwingxSwing Clubhouse entertains its millions of golfer and golf enthusiast visitors with compelling content on professional golf, instruction, equipment, comedy and other lifestyle categories on a daily basis.
Never be the odd golfer out when your friends are talking about the latest or funniest happenings in golf. Sign up for the SxS newsletter today!
