A New Fan of the LPGA DOW Championship Looking to Return
By Coach Robert McIntyre
Two months and counting to the LPGA Dow Championship. Pro am on June 10th, and then the tournament begins on June 11. Four full days of great tournament golf and a whole bunch more. My calendar is marked.
I went to the Dow for the first time in 2025. Not only was it my first time at the Dow, it was my first LPGA event. Let’s face it, I went with a level of skepticism. I had my doubts and I could not have been more wrong.
Going to the Dow is a bucket of fun. Let me break this down.
As a family event the Dow is superior to what I’ve seen before. First tee, tent full of STEM stuff, Kids Zone, and all the things make it special. Ease of parking, organization of venue and closeness to player competition are the part of the essential foundation that the “special" is built on.
It’s easy to have a good afternoon with children at this event. There are things for kids to do. The icing on the cake, if it is time to go, it is time to go. The cost of the ticket allows an economic walk away empowerment. At $10 for a ticket, “Dad I want to go” (after two hours), no problem. No death march needed.
The golf competition is fantastic. Last year I admittedly went in lacking familiarity with the Dow’s unique format and the players. I was able to kick back and enjoy great shots being made and strategy being implemented without bias. This year, part of me wants to do a bit more homework. The “Team Up” format is back. Switching from alternating shot to best ball each day, making the Dow Championship the only official team event on the LPGA Tour, Team Up is different – best of all it allows for strategy and execution speculation by the observing fan. It just depends how far down the rabbit hole you want to go.
For me, another big plus about the Dow is having the freedom of deciding my favorite golfer(s). How much knowledge I carry into the event is up to me. One thing is clear as you root and enjoy skill, this is not hyper corporatized propaganda. There is no juggernaut of sponsorship being shoved down your throat. If Gemma Dryburgh and Cassie Porter (the “Kilted Koala’s) team up again, I will be rooting for them. Why not? I love it!
I am looking forward to a quality afternoon. A return to sitting on the adirondack chairs as players hit onto the 4th green. A casual comment on how much their partner appreciates the putt now in their hands. I look forward to following a few groups for 9 holes to stretch my legs and see some great golf. These points and others summarized into one feeling at this event. I enjoyed my day. It was worth it. I wasn’t hurried, stressed, or tense.
Your level of anxiety is your responsibility as you enjoy competitive golf. That is what has this event etched into my calendar this year. That is why I’m going back. The Dow is a great option for a June day.
By the way… Another option for June is the Meijer Classic the very next week (June 18-21). I have never been to the GR spectacle, but now know the potential of an LPGA event. Spending some time at Blythefield Country Club (Belmont, MI… North of Grand Rapids) seems like a good idea.
