Cristie Kerr hosts the first Lacoste Invitational in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - It’s not every day that one gets to play with one of the world’s best golfers but that’s exactly what happened just recently at the very first Lacoste Invitational Golf ProAM in the country where lucky invited golfers took their best swings and putts against no less than celebrated women’s golfer Cristie Kerr at the Sta. Elena Golf Club.

Cristie Kerr, who was in town to host the ProAM as Lacoste brand ambassador, is a three-time number one ranked female golfer who is still ranked as one of the world’s best at No. 2. She has won 14 LPGA tournaments, including two major championships and has pocketed over $13 million in career earnings. Since September 2008, she has also been part of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Sports Hall of Champions and opened the Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center. She also has a foundation called Birdies for Breast Cancer that supports breast cancer research.

The Philippines is the last stop of Cristie Kerr’s seven-week tour that started at Arkansas, moving across the US, and ending with an Asian swing that included Korea, Malaysia and Chinese Taipei.

Present in historic golf tournaments and the finest golf courses all over the world, Lacoste embodies the elegance of a champion. As its brand ambassador, Cristie Kerr personifies the values and keys to success of Lacoste: integrity, performance and elegance.

Every putt counts: (From left) Nancy Ortiga, Rio Co, top-ranked PGA golfer Cristie Kerr, Edward Tiu and Paul Chuatico at the Lacoste Invitational

With the latest fall/winter 2011 collection, Lacoste asserts its modernity and creates a new appeal for the crocodile brand. Taking inspiration from the legacy of René Lacoste’s inimitable style and forging ahead of the competition, the collection puts a contemporary twist on collegiate uniforms and sportswear. The pieces are a colorful take on the classic wardrobe essentials infused with the easy and relaxed elegance of an English weekend. Composed of basics that are re-imagined and re-interpreted, the collection exemplifies a meeting between tradition and innovation.

Since 1933, the Lacoste brand has built on its genuine sporting roots, offering a unique and original universe through a wide range of products for men, women and children. Legitimate in the world of sports, Lacoste ambassadors, from tennis and golf players, carry the values of René Lacoste around the world.

In the Philippines, Lacoste is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 3, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Tower, The Power Plant Mall, Megamall, The Podium, Mall of Asia, Gateway, TriNoma, Eastwood Mall, Newport Mall, Robinsons Galleria, Robinson’s Place Manila, Alabang Town Center - Corte de las Palmas, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Davao, and Abreeza Davao.