Kraft Nabisco Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Organizers of the Kraft Nabisco Championship aren’t holding back this year at Mission Hills Country Club.

It’s the tournament’s 40th anniversary.

“It’s the largest tenured event at the same location in the LPGA tour,” said Director Gabe Codding.

First-time visitor Shernay Thornton was proud to be part of this momentous year. “40 is monumental in anything you think about: to be in business for 40 years, to become 40,” she said.

To commemorate the tournament’s longevity, organizers designed the Legends Club which opens officially on Thursday. It’s the tournament’s makeshift clubhouse.

Codding said fans wanted a clubhouse, especially since Mission Hill’s real clubhouse is off limits.

“Our volunteer base and our fan base are really important to us,” he said. “So, when they have a need, and we can do things better and make the experience better, we want to be all over that.”

Codding also said the tournament had another reason to celebrate: It’s survived one of the worst economies.

New York native Carmela Murphy said this was the right time to attend the tournament. “Life takes you in a direction, and you have to go with it wherever it is,” she said. “Right now, it’s here [in Rancho Mirage].”

This year’s players represent more than two dozen countries. This year’s purse is $2 million.

The Pro-Am Tournament begins Tuesday. The major championship play begins Thursday.