MT.PLEASANT, S.C., Tuesday, May 6, 2008 – Ashleigh Simon of South Africa has accepted a sponsor’s exemption to the second-annual Ginn Tribute Hosted by ANNIKA. 

The $2.6 million event will be played for the second-consecutive year at RiverTowne Country Club in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., May 26-June 1, 2008.

Simon, who will turn 19 on May 11, is a non-exempt rookie on the LPGA.  She turned professional in May 2007 and competed on the Ladies European Tour (LET), where she won the Catalonia Ladies Masters and tied for 24th at the Evian Masters.  Simon tied for 18th at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn non-exempt status for the 2008 LPGA season.

“I am honored to receive the sponsor’s exemption to the Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika,” said Simon.  “Annika is a role model to many golfers and especially to those my age who are just joining the world of professional golf.  Ginn Resorts is a dedicated sponsor and I am pleased to have the opportunity to play one of their courses and in one of their events.”

Simon enjoyed an outstanding amateur career, winning four professional events as an amateur. She won the 2004 South African Open at the age of 14. Simon went on to win the 2005 Pam Golding Classic and the Nedbank Masters in 2006 on the Ladies African Tour. Before turning professional, she won the South African Open for the second time.

The four-time South African Amateur Stroke Play champion (2004-07) and a three-time South African Amateur Match Play champion (2004, 2006-07) competed in the 2006 Rolex Tournament of Champions and in the 2006 World Amateur Team Championships. She also partnered with Laurette Maritz three times to represent South Africa at the Women’s World Cup of Golf, an unofficial event on the LPGA Tour (2005-07).

2006 saw Simon excel to another level, with her again winning the South African amateur double, and also making a mark in the United States by winning the AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions, being named a First-Team Rolex Junior All American.

She qualified for the Ricoh Women’s British Open, and received invitations to play in two other LET events. The highlight of 2006 was when she and her teammates won the World Amateur Golf Championships on their home turf in Cape Town, South Africa.

In January 2007 Ashleigh received invitations to the two LET tournaments in Australia. She was leading amateur in the 2007 Australian Women’s Open in Sydney, finishing in 20th place.  On the March 12, 2007 Ashleigh once again made history by winning the WPGA Ladies South African Open for the second time in three years as an amateur. She also finished as leading points scorer on the WPGA Ladies Tour.

The accomplished young professional started playing golf at the age of 6 and credits her dad as the individual most influencing her career.