A Boardman player is in the large field.

A Boardman playeris in the large field.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- A field of 144 professional golfers teed off today in the opening round of the 2004 Giant Eagle LPGA Classic here at Squaw Creek Country Club.
This year's field, which includes 25 rookies and 37 golfers who have never played here before, could be the final field of this tournament.
Title sponsor Giant Eagle and Mahoning Valley Sports Charities, which owns and operates the tournament, still have not agreed on a new contract. The current deal expires at the end of this tournament.
While the tournament's future remains in doubt, this year's field begins the quest for the $150,000 first-place check, which is top prize in the $1 million tournament purse.
The field is thin, with only one player on this year's top-20 LPGA money list in the field.
Pat Hurst, who finished runner-up to Dorothy Delasin in 2000, currently ranks 18th on the tour in money winnings. A year ago this tournament drew six of the top 10 money winners, including No. 1 Annika Sorenstam.
Seven champs absent
Seven of the previous 11 champions of this event have elected to bypass this year's tournament. Delasin, a two-time winner in 2000 and 2001, is not here, along with Se Ri Pak (1998), Mi Hyun Kim (2002), Beth Daniel (1990), Deb Richard (1991), Betsy King (1992) and Nancy Lopez (1993). Lopez officially retired from competition two years ago.
Two-time champions Michelle McGann (1995 and 1996) and Tammie Green (1994 and 1997) are back, along with 1999 winner Jackie Gallagher-Smith.
Defending champion Rachel Teske, who defeated Sorenstam, Lori Kane and Jennifer Rosales in a three-hole sudden-death playoff last year, is one of the top contenders returning this year.
Locally, Boardman's Kelly Cap, a third-year LPGA player, is also in the field.
In the last 11 years this tournament has donated $3,824,000 to local children's and educational charities on behalf of Mahoning Valley Sports Charities.
The event continues Saturday and Sunday with tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m.
mollica@vindy.com