The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican has added a headline name to its 2025 field.
Kai Trump, a University of Miami golf commit and granddaughter of President Donald J. Trump, will make her LPGA Tour debut as one of the tournament’s sponsor invitations.
Trump, 18, is a senior at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach and earned a top-three finish on the AJGA Tour this summer. Her inclusion was announced by tournament officials at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair.
“My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour, and I am thrilled to be able to compete at The ANNIKA,” Trump said. “This event will be an incredible experience. I look forward to meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf.”
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The field will also include WNBA star Caitlin Clark, who will play in the Wednesday Pro-Am on Nov. 12. Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year and Gainbridge ambassador, returns to Belleair for the second consecutive year.
“I had an amazing time at The ANNIKA last November and participating in the Pro-Am alongside Nelly Korda and Annika Sorenstam,” Clark said earlier this month. “I’m honored to be an ambassador for a company in Gainbridge that is so committed to elevating women’s sports. I can’t wait to return to Tampa in November to play in the Pro-Am with the best women golfers in the world.”
Why it matters
The ANNIKA has evolved into one of the LPGA Tour’s premier events, combining world-class competition with celebrity appeal and corporate sponsorship. Its host venue, Pelican Golf Club, will celebrate its centennial in 2025, a milestone that underscores both its history and its growing influence as an economic driver for the region.
“Kai Trump has a tremendous passion for the game and is expanding the sport to broader audiences,” said Justin Sheehan, director of golf and COO at Pelican Golf Club. “She has a bright future at Miami, and we look forward to welcoming her to Belleair.”
READ ABOUT LAST YEAR’S EVENT: Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam Hosts Tampa Bay’s Annual LPGA Tour Event
Hosted by Annika Sorenstam, the tournament features a $3.25 million purse, one of the largest on the LPGA Tour. Beyond competition, the event draws corporate hospitality, national media attention and community engagement across Pinellas County and the greater Tampa Bay Area.
“She added such a great dynamic to our event, and her passion for golf and competitiveness were fun to witness firsthand,” Sorenstam said earlier this month. “I look forward to having her back and continuing to introduce the game to the next generation.”
What’s next
The tournament runs Nov. 10–16. Tickets are available at TheAnnika.com, including general admission and premium hospitality options.
Organizers say more field announcements and fan experiences will be revealed in the coming weeks. With names like Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu returning, Tampa Bay’s largest women’s golf event continues to strengthen its national profile and local impact.
The bottom line
The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican has become more than a golf tournament. It is a showcase of athletic talent, female leadership and corporate partnership, bringing national attention to Tampa Bay’s business of sports.
Kai Trump’s LPGA debut and Caitlin Clark’s return highlight the tournament’s growing ability to blend tradition, star power and local impact. With a centennial venue, a Hall of Fame host and a new generation of athletes, Belleair is once again set to be the center of women’s golf in November.
For more information, or to buy tickets to this year’s event, click here.
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