Golf Channel to Air Live Announcement of the Winner of the ANNIKA Award

In Partnership with 3M, the Fred Haskins Commission and the ANNIKA Foundation, Golf Channel Increases Awareness of One of the Most Prestigious Recognitions in Women’s Collegiate Golf

(ORLANDO, Fla.) – Golf Channel announced today a new partnership with 3M, the Fred Haskins Commission and the ANNIKA Foundation to elevate exposure for one of the most prestigious awards in all of women’s golf, the ANNIKA Award Presented by 3M.

New for 2015, the ANNIKA Award Presented by 3M winner announcement will take place Monday, May 25 during Golf Channel’s live coverage of the 2015 NCAA Women’s Golf Championships, with the recipient appearing on-set as part of the network’s Golf Central news program.

Named after World Golf Hall-of-Famer and 1991 NCAA Individual Champion Annika Sorenstam, the ANNIKA Award Presented by 3M honors the nation’s most outstanding female Division I collegiate golfer as selected by her peers, coaches and the golf media. UCLA’s Alison Lee won the inaugural award in 2014 after winning three times, and was named first team All-American, Pac-12 Women’s Golfer of the Year and Freshman of the Year. She is now competing full time on the LPGA Tour.

The live announcement will take place during Golf Central at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, May 25, with the winner appearing on-set immediately following the conclusion of the individual stroke play at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships. Taking place at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla., the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships will air live on Golf Channel Monday-Wednesday, May 25-27, crowning the individual national champion followed by all three rounds of the team match-play tournament.

"We are thrilled about this new partnership with Golf Channel and its increased commitment to showcasing collegiate golf,” said Annika. “This is the next generation of great players and I am honored to have my name on this award with 3M. We look forward to growing this initiative, along with others championed by my foundation."

“3M is delighted to join forces again this year with the ANNIKA Foundation to celebrate the inspirational support that Annika and the foundation provide for young women athletes everywhere,” said Jesse Singh, senior vice president for marketing and sales at 3M. “We hope the 2015 ANNIKA Award Presented by 3M will encourage another young athlete on her path to success, and we look forward to announcing this year’s winner.”

“Annika is undoubtedly the greatest female golfer in history and has done so much to bring women’s golf to the forefront, both on and off the golf course,” said Tom Knapp, senior vice president of programming for Golf Channel. “We are excited to partner with the ANNIKA Foundation, the Fred Haskins Commission and 3M in growing increased awareness for the ANNIKA Award.”

Players, coaches and members of the golf media can vote at www.AnnikaAward.com through Sunday, May 24 at 9 p.m. ET. After the votes are collected, the Fred Haskins Commission will verify the votes and determine the winner. Throughout the NCAA golf season, the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings are used to identify the top female collegiate golfers throughout the year. Golfweek is the founding media partner for the ANNIKA Award.

The Fred Haskins Commission, which for the past 44 years has overseen the Fred Haskins Award presented by Stifel in recognizing the most outstanding male collegiate golfer, also oversees the ANNIKA Award. Winners of the Haskins Award have captured 28 Majors and nearly 300 professional tournaments around the world. For the first time in 2015, the Haskins Award winner will receive his award live on Golf Channel, airing Monday, June 1 on Golf Central following the conclusion of the final round of men’s individual stroke play.

Golf Channel is building upon the success of its 2014 coverage of the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships and is expanding in 2015 to include live news and tournament coverage of both the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships, contested in back-to-back weeks at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla., May 22-June 3. Coverage of the Women’s Golf Championships will air Monday-Wednesday, May 25-27, followed be coverage of the Men’s Golf Championships Monday-Wednesday, June 1-3.