Mirim Lee, of South Korea, shakes hands with Inbee Park on the second playoff hole after winning the Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont on Aug. 10. (Photo: Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
Mirim Lee, of South Korea, shakes hands with Inbee Park on the second playoff hole after winning the Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont on Aug. 10. (Photo: Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
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After a successful inaugural tournament that generated $600,000 for Midwest food pantries, the Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft will return to Grand Rapids in 2015 for another week of community events and the best women golfers in the world.

The tournament is slated July 20-26, 2015, at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, and will again benefit the Walker-based retailer Meijer's Simply Give program.

During the inaugural Meijer LPGA Classic on Aug. 7 to 10, more than 40,000 spectators came out.

Rookie pro golfer Mirim Lee claimed her first LPGA Tour victory with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff against fellow South Korean Inbee Park.

"The success of the Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft greatly exceeded our expectations, and afforded us an unmatched opportunity to raise awareness and funding for hunger relief in the Midwest," Meijer President J.K. Symancyk said in statement. "The community really embraced this tournament, and we look forward to bringing another exciting event to them next year."

The inaugural event also made an on the LPGA professionals during their week in greater Grand Rapids.

Park noticed crowds cheering her on throughout the week.

"I was really surprised how they love golf here in Michigan and how supportive they were," she said. "I'm very thankful that they are supporting golf and women's golf."

Stacy Lewis sees the value in adding locations like Grand Rapids to the LPGA schedule.

"I think just by the fans and all the crowds we've had this week, it shows that we need to be here," said Lewis, the No. 1 ranked player in the world during the Meijer LPGA Classic. "We had a great first year."

Some even spoke on the excitement for years to come.

"This was a first-class event," LPGA golfer Suzann Pettersen said in a statement. "The venue: great golf course.

"I'm happy to be back here next year."

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