N.J. Native Marina Alex Tees Off In Shoprite Classic

By Rebecca Gaona, NJSGA P.J. Boatwright Intern

New Jersey native, Marina Alex formerly of Wayne, N.J., returns to her home state for the Shoprite LPGA Classic in Galloway.

The ShopRite LPGA Classic, presented by Acer, will be held from today, Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31, at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, Bay Course. The Bay Course will be playing 6,177, earning the shortest course on the 2015 schedule thus far.

Defending champion Stacy Lewis leads a field that includes 17 of the top 20 players in the world and seven past champions.

Lewis, who also won in 2012, will try to become just the third player in the event’s history to win three times and would join Hall of Famers Annika Sorenstam and Betsy King with a win this weekend.

Stacy Lewis’ winning score of 16-under par last year, one shot off of Annika Sorenstam’s tournament record.

This is the 27th staging of the ShopRite LPGA Classic, the fourth-longest running event on Tour outside of the majors.

In 2005, Alex was the NJSGA Women’s Amateur runner-up and since has moved to Florida to pursue her full-time LPGA career.

Alex tees off on Friday, May 26, at 12:33 p.m,

Alex, who played out of North Jersey Country Club, has more recently earned her full-time LPGA card after being on the Symetra tour for just a year.

After receiving a full ride to Vanderbilt in 2008, Alex went on to become one of Vanderbilt’s and NCAA Women’s Golf best athletes.

Completing the three stages of Q-School, Alex then earned full-time status on the Symetra Tour, the developmental for the LPGA.

She earned an LPGA Tour Card for 2013 with a T27 finish at LPGA Qualifying School at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.,

After being on the Symetra Tour for just a year, Alex earned her full-time LPGA card at the age of 23. Prior to her full-time status, Alex also had part-time eligibility on the LPGA while on the Symetra tour, allowing herself several starts on the tour, including the 2013 Shoprite LPGA Classic.

With full-time status on the LPGA since 2013, Alex has made 20 cuts within her two years on tour. Coming into this week’s Shoprite LPGA Classic, Alex has missed two consecutive cuts.

The event will host the top golfers on the LPGA along with defending champion, Lewis, three rookies, and a ton of veterans. The field of 144 will make for a great atmosphere on the Jersey Shore.

Inbee Park will be on the hunt to regain her Rolex Ranking No. 1. In order for her to do so, she will have to tie for third or better at this weekend’s event.

The Rolex Ranking No. 1, Lydia Ko will not be competing at the Shoprite LPGA Classic, which will give a chance to Stacy Lewis and Inbee Park to regain their number one spot. Michelle Wie is also in the star-studded field.