The Gainbridge Effect: Achieving Immeasurable Success by Way of Muscle, Support

By Doug Milne

 

BELLEAIR, Fla. – While the standalone strength of an event, business or individual is, ideally, worthy of inspiration and interest, it’s the muscle of a cast which determines the level of success, respect and overall growth.

 

At this week’s The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, isolating that entity doesn’t exactly require much heavy lifting. At every turn, that ‘wow’ factor is traced back to Annika, Pelican Golf Club and Gainbridge.

 

They continue to raise the bar and make the event a resounding success for players, patrons, volunteers and LPGA staff, as well as area businesses, charities and even residents.

 

“Gainbridge has been an incredible partner to the LPGA and treat the players so well,” said Brooke Henderson after Saturday’s round. “They’ve also done so much with this event to grow the women’s game. They do a lot of extra things we just don’t see at other events. It’s something we all notice and appreciate.”  

 

“Not only has the purse increased over the last few years since Gainbridge has come on board, but I also have to comment that the overall player experience is just so special,” said recently elected LPGA Player Director Lauren Coughlin.” It’s all just top notch, start to finish, and easily one of the best few events we play all year.”

 

Along with tournament host, Annika Sorenstam and Pelican Golf Club, Gainbridge’s primary objective is to incorporate everyone’s unique perspectives to elevate the event and women’s sports in well-rounded fashion.

 

“Gainbridge has proven to be such a significant player to the success of the event,” said Annika. “Then, when you add in the Doyle family and this place they have here at Pelican, you get a clear understanding that we all have our strengths, and we all contribute based on those strengths. I believe that has been the recipe for the growing success of this tournament.”

 

With Gainbridge now in its third year as title sponsor, by all accounts, the tournament is growing and heading in a direction as impressive as one of the tournament host’s tee shots.

 

“Gainbridge is very instrumental towards the growth and success of this tournament,” Annika continued. “It continues to be a wonderful partnership. I love what Gainbridge stands for, in terms of creating interaction with other athletes, like Caitlin Clark this year. It has broadened what we do beyond just the competition and, in turn, gives so many more people an opportunity to see what we do here, who we are and all we’re about.”

 

As part of its passion for elevating women’s sports, Gainbridge has brought in WNBA Star and Gainbridge ambassador Caitlin Clark to participate in the Wednesday Pro-Am the past two years. This year, Gainbridge took the collaboration initiative a step further with inviting 2-time Olympic gold medalist and U.S. Soccer legend Briana Scurry, NASCAR’s Carson Hocevar and Clark’s Indiana Fever teammates Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull as celebrity guest caddies for the Wednesday Pro-Am.

 

To help make a positive impact on the lives of those battling adversity, Gainbridge launched in 2025 Gainbridge Assists powered by Parity initiative providing grants to 32 deserving organizations that help girls and women through sports end education. Gainbridge teamed up with Parity and the Women’s Sports Foundation to award over $200,000 to organizations in 21 states across the U.S. Among the selected was the ‘I GOT THIS’ Foundation, started by Amy Bockerstette, who lives with Down Syndrome, and her family after the remarkable events which transpired at the 2019 WM Phoenix Open.

 

“We loved being a Gainbridge grant recipient,” said Amy’s mother, Jenny. “They not only helped us out with our charity scramble recently, but they also brought us here to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican to host a clinic and show what we do. We loved how things went with the clinic here. This is a great facility and amazing tournament.”

 

In addition, Gainbridge donated $22,000 to the Caitlin Clark Foundation, as well as $5,000 to the Duc Foundation of Northwestern University All-American, Lauryn Nguyen, one of this week’s sponsor invites.

 

“I’m speechless. It was so amazing that got to start my professional career playing in a pro-am with Caitlin Clark in a tournament named in honor of Annika,” Nguyen said. “I’m super thankful to Gainbridge for believing in me. I’m so excited to make my LPGA Tour debut.”

 

Based on the numbers, The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican is being seen and heard. According to Cision Analytics, Friday of this year saw a 180 percent increase in worldwide media coverage over round two of the event in 2024. That percentage is based on media mentions across television, print, online, radio and magazines. From Monday through Friday of this year, there was a 67 percent increase.  

 

“The numbers don’t lie with regard to the tournament’s sponsorship decisions,” Annika said. “Whether you’re for it or not, they are sponsor invites and they are encouraged to choose who they want. An understandable part of that is them being able to choose those they believe will elevate the tournament from different perspectives. I support that and believe it has all been tremendous. As a sponsor, you do want – and deserve – to be seen and heard.”

 

According to Annika, when people see numbers like those the tournament is experiencing this week, the reaction is a desire to join in and be a part of it.

 

“If people are seeing such elevated numbers like we’re experiencing this week, they’re likely wondering how they, their companies and their people can become a part of that success," said Annika. "That is really what I see as the big picture.”

 

Another unique and touching manner in which Gainbridge showcased its supportive heart and muscle this week was by way of the Gainbridge “Kicks for a Cause.” Partnering with BayCare Health System, “Kicks for a Cause” afforded nine pediatric patients the artful opportunity to design shoes for athletes, Gainbridge ambassadors and Annika’s family to wear during Wednesday’s pro-am.

 

The effort was designed to amplify the stories of BayCare’s young patients by highlighting their creativity and bringing awareness to BayCare’s pediatric services, BayCare Kids.

 

Folds of Honor, the brainchild of Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney to support financially and emotionally the men, women and families of the military, was on site for its first ever Folds of Honor Friday program at an LPGA event. Not only does that tournament feature actively help improve the lives of those who serve the country, but it exposes an entire demographic to a sport they may have otherwise had no interest in or connection to.

 

The Dalai Lama once opined, “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others."

 

That premise stands as the foundation upon which Gainbridge carries itself from a business perspective. With the sincere and savvy title sponsorship support it brings to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican table, Gainbridge also – and deservedly – showcases itself as a company passionate about growth and progress, innovation and muscle to get it all done in a way that leaves everyone and everything it associates with more confident, capable….and stronger.

That translates to a resounding success across a countless number of levels.  

 

“I am so proud, so excited of everything about this week so far,” Annika said Saturday, looking out over a range area full of players, families, fans and sponsors. “It just warms my heart to see it all unfolding. I feel like the atmosphere is first-class. I’m just so proud of the whole team with all we’ve been able to do and what we can hopefully continue to deliver on. Gainbridge is certainly helping make that happen.”