The pristine fairways of Pelican Golf Club transformed into a sea of enthusiasm today as a massive crowd of 5,000 turned out to witness WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark’s return to the links for The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge Pro-Am. The Indiana Fever guard, fresh off a challenging 2025 season sidelined by injury, captivated golf and basketball fans alike, marking her second consecutive appearance at the LPGA Tour’s penultimate event.
Clark, a Gainbridge ambassador whose on-court assists mirror the company’s financial empowerment tools, teed off alongside defending champion and world No. 1 Nelly Korda, LPGA Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, and sponsor invite Lauryn Nguyen. The quartet’s group drew the largest gallery in Pro-Am history, with spectators lining the Donald Ross-designed course—fresh off its 2025 centennial redesign by Beau Welling—for hours. Chants of “Cait-lin! Cait-lin!” echoed as Clark, donning a sleek Gainbridge polo, flashed her signature smile and steady swing.
“I had an absolute blast last year, and being back with Nelly and Annika—two absolute legends—is unreal,” Clark said post-round, her voice buzzing with excitement. “Golf’s my offseason escape; it’s competitive, outdoors, and now with this crowd? It’s electric. Huge thanks to Gainbridge for championing women’s sports like this.” Her enthusiasm was infectious; fans, many donning Fever jerseys, snapped selfies and cheered every drive, turning the nine-hole showcase into a festival of cross-sport camaraderie.
Korda, who birdied three holes with Clark’s group, praised the rookie’s poise. “Caitlin’s got that competitor’s fire—mature beyond her years. Playing with her feels like hanging with a friend who just happens to drop dimes on the court.” Sorenstam, the tournament host, echoed the sentiment: “She elevates everything she touches. Seeing 5,000 here? That’s the power of bridging worlds.”
The Pro-Am, open to the public, underscored Gainbridge’s Parity Week initiative, celebrating women in sports and education. The company donated $22,000 to the Caitlin Clark Foundation, supporting youth empowerment, while the event’s $3.25 million purse highlights the LPGA’s rising stature. Clark’s presence not only swelled attendance but amplified the tournament’s $360,000+ in birdie/eagle charity donations since 2020.
As the sun set over Tampa Bay, Clark lingered for autographs, embodying the event’s spirit: unity, grit, and unbridled joy. With the full-field competition kicking off tomorrow (Nov. 13-16), The ANNIKA promises more magic—but today’s crowd proved Clark’s star power is the ultimate hole-in-one.
