The Meijer LPGA Classic – the Perfect Dozen

By Tom Lang

    LPGA Tour professional golfer Lexi Thompson is returning to Grand Rapids for the 12th annual Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give.

   And why not? 

    After all, she did tell me it’s the best event on the LPGA Tour.

   “I think it’s probably the best event on our schedule,” Thompson said in mid-May interview. “I love coming to Grand Rapids. The hospitality that we receive here from the golf course staff, the volunteers, the fans. You feel like you’re part of a family every time we come to this event. This is one of the favorite stops on Tour for the players. We know Meijer is one of the best events we have.

    “The course is always in great shape for us; you can always guarantee that. But add that to the hospitality we receive here and we always look forward to coming back.”

    Thompson could retreat each day to a private suite at a local hotel, but she returns each year to stay with the local host family who first took her in, explaining that when you’re treated like family there’s not much better. She has truly enjoyed watching the kids grow up all these years and she’s become part of their family.

    Thompson agreed with the comments also expressed by other players over the years that the tournament has been so consistent for 12 years in many capacities, making it feel like a ‘major’ on the LPGA Tour.

   The 2026 event runs June 18-21. Thompson won it all in 2015, and has had several top-5 finishes.

    “The way we are treated like I’ve mentioned, but also the build out on the golf course,” provides a ‘major’ environment she said. “The grandstand around 18 green, the J Brewers tent for the fans, the play area for the kids. (Many) tournaments just don’t do that. And it’s what Meijer does great for this event. The support they have from the community here – it’s one of the best.

   “And especially the last few years, there are holes where the fans at the ropes are 3-4 deep. And around number 1, even more. It’s just incredible to see how the community gets around this event and that Meijer gives back so much as well.”

    The giveback is Meijer’s focus. This tournament in its first 11 years has raised more than $13 million for the Simply Give Program, a financial support system for local food pantries in all the Midwest states that Meijer has a footprint. The Simply Give program provides financial assistance for pantries to stock their shelves beyond the dry goods, but with fresh produce, meats and other healthy whole foods. Thompson said one of her favorite off-course visits in prior years was to one of the local Kent County food pantries which is part of the Simply Give program.  

    Tournament ticket sales have been brisk this year, more than in the past.

    “I think it’s because of what we’ve built, and the quality of it. This is a family event, and people are really supportive of that and supportive of what this event does for the community and Simply Give (feeding the hungry),” said Cathy Cooper, executive director of the tournament. “It’s caught on like wildfire.”

    Part of that wildfire environment is produced by new fan incentives every year.

    “We’ve expanded the size of J. Brewers because the demand has been there,” Cooper said. “It’s expanding out where fans can walk out and have special seating areas and tents around No. 4 green. The Kraft Heinze pavilion – we have doubled the size (this year), and it’s really an undiscovered secret, with great golf viewing of 18 tee, 17 green and 5 tee is all visible from that pavilion. Plus, we have great food from some local restaurants… an amazing place it will be.

    “The players love how well they’re received,” Cooper added. “They love what the community does here to support the tournament. And that this tournament is all about Simply Give and feeding hungry families. All that, and Blythefield is truly a great course to play. It’s all those things.”

    Showing Up:

    Fans can purchase tickets for $10 for any one day of the tournament, or $25 for the week. Kids 17 and under are free with ticketed adults. Fathers are free on Father’s Day Sunday, the final round of the tournament. Military personnel (active, retired, reserve, veteran) and a plus-one will also be granted free general admission for all four days of tournament play with proper identification.

    Thompson also likes the Father’s Day connection in the final round. She told the Holland Sentinel: “It has always been a big deal to me because usually my dad does come. I love having him around. I love seeing it out on the course, too, the dads and kids watching. You can’t beat that.”

     The J. Brewers-Frederick’s hospitality tent along the 4th fairway ticket includes all food and drink all day, for one day Friday through Sunday; $90 per adult and children 5 and under are $10. These tickets are the hottest in town every year since the tournament began offering it about a half dozen years ago.  It’s an experience you have to try to believe. The food is both amazing and plentiful. Culinary experts from Meijer and from many local popular restaurants put on a show almost equal to the LPGA golfers.

    "Our goal every year is to bring the very best local flavors and Meijer's own premium Frederik's brand to our guests, creating innovative menus that celebrate both tradition and creativity," said Brian Williams, Research and Development Chef at Meijer. "Whether you're savoring all-you-can-eat favorites or discovering new dishes from our local partners, we want every guest to enjoy a delicious and memorable weekend." 

    The additional tent and deck at 18 tee and 17 green, the Kraft Heinz Pavilion, is $50 per adult, $10 per child. And overall, the average fan who pays $10 for a daily grounds ticket will be treated to some outstanding Grand Taste Concessions located throughout the course offering a variety of high-quality food and beverage items, all priced at $4 or less. 

    Tickets are now available at www.meijerlpgaclassic.com

    "We're proud to continue making the Meijer LPGA Classic affordable for families, ensuring everyone can enjoy a memorable weekend together," Cooper said. "The incredible support from our community inspires us year after year.”

    Dow Championship and Meijer Classic back to back:

    Meijer brought back the LPGA Tour, and pro golf overall, to the state of Michigan after many years of no pro Tours following the departure of the PGA Tour’s Buick Open in 2009. Dow stepped up several years ago to add the Dow Championship, which will take place the weekend of June 11-14. This will be the first year the LPGA Tour scheduled the events to play back to back, which Thompson said is a huge boost for the players on Tour.

    “It does wonders for us to be able to just hop in a car and stay or leave whenever you want. It’s so simple,” Thompson said. “But we’d be willing to drive 8 hours to not hop on a plane to go through the stress of being in an airport. I think it helps us out a lot, but I also think it helps out the tournaments as well because then the players want to play in both events. 

    Thompson went on to explain how she and her contemporaries are doing their part to grow the game of golf.

    “I think what the LPGA Tour does is just show little girls can follow their dreams and get a club in their hands at a young age,” she said.  “With the LPGA Girls Golf program and all the other programs that involve kids now, that’s what you need. We need to make it more fun for the little kids to get them interested. And when they are out there watching us on Tour, we all need to make an impact on their lives – we need to sign the autographs and take the pictures. That’s what sticks with those kids. (If we have) a good day or not, that’s what it’s about.”