MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The Ginn Tribute Hosted by ANNIKA has announced its new tournament director.  Becky Newell, of Georgia, has joined the IMG staff and will run the second-annual event hosted by LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam.  The $2.6 million event will take place once again at the RiverTowne Country Club in Charleston, S.C., May 26-June 1, 2008.

Newell most recently comes to the Ginn Tribute Hosted by ANNIKA from the U.S. 10K Classic and World’s Children Center, but spent 12 years as the Director of Operations for the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez from 1994-2006.  In 2007, Newell was the tournament manager for the Pine Valley Beijing Open, in Beijing, China. 

“I am extremely thrilled to be directing the Ginn Tribute Hosted by ANNIKA,” said Newell.  “It is an honor to work with Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam and such a terrific sponsor in Ginn Resorts.  Coming from a different LPGA tournament hosted by another prestigious role model, I know how important this type of event is not only to the local community but to the LPGA as a whole.  I look forward to making this year even a bigger success than last year.”

Annika Sorenstam said, “We are pleased to have Becky on board as she has extensive experience with the LPGA.  We have a very special tournament here in Charleston and we look forward to building on the success we had in our inaugural event last year.”

Bobby Ginn, Chairman and CEO of Ginn Resorts said, “The Ginn Tribute Hosted by ANNIKA deserves the best of the best.  At Ginn Resorts we strive for nothing but top quality and Becky represents that.”

The 2007 Ginn Tribute hosted by ANNIKA saw Nicole Castrale earn her first LPGA title.  Castrale defeated Lorena Ochoa in a sudden-death one-hole playoff to win the $390,000 paycheck.