By: jackie.sauter

The McDonald’s LPGA Championship starts tomorrow at Bulle Rock Golf Course, and already, there are questions as to whether the major championship will come back to Havre de Grace after its five-year contract expires in 2009.

In truth, Bulle Rock is no Pinehurst. And, as Don Markus of The Sun points out, charitable donations dropped to an all time low last year. LPGA Commissioner Carol Bivens addressed that issue:

It’s not that it’s unimportant, but the venue, the setup, the fans, the field, the buzz, the whole fan experience — especially for a major — is what’s most important to the LPGA.

So, this week is shaping up to be important.

This is the last chance for Marylanders to see Annika Sorenstam (above left) play competitively in the area. Sorenstam, a 10-time major winner and eight-time player of the year, announced three weeks ago that she would retire from competitive golf at the end of the season.

The world’s No.1 women’s golfer, Lorena Ochoa, is seeking her third straight major championship.

Tickets are $22 Thursday and Friday, and $25 Saturday and Sunday. Spectator parking is at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen.

RICHARD SIMON, Multimedia Reporter