The Safeway Classic takes place Aug. 18-24 and the final field for the event is set. The 37th edition of the tournament will feature the top 15 players on the 2008 LPGA money list.

The tournament is highlighted by defending champion and Rolex Rankings #1 player Lorena Ochoa, LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame members Annika Sorenstam LPGA Hall of Fame members Karrie Webb and Se Ri Pak, as well as Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Morgan Pressel, and US Women’s Open winner Inbee Park.

The sponsor’s exemptions this year will feature one professional and one amateur. Allison Hanna-Williams, a native Oregonian and former All-American at Ohio State University will receive one exemption. Sydnee Michaels, a junior at UCLA, won the Safeway Classic Amateur Open earlier this month to earn the second spot in the tournament.

Hanna-Williams, who has non-exempt status on the LPGA Tour this year turned professional in 2004. She won back-to back Oregon High School State Championships in 1999 and 2000, and was a three-time All-Big Ten selection and Big-Ten player of the year in 2004. Michaels played in the Safeway Classic in 2006 after winning the Safeway Classic Amateur Open that year as well.

The 54-hole tournament will be played from Friday Aug. 22-Sunday Aug. 24 at Columbia-Edgewater Country Club. The purse for the event this year is $1.7 million. All three days of play will be broadcast on ESPN2. Pro-Am events and practice rounds will be held from Monday through Thursday Aug. 18-21.

“We are thrilled with the strength of our field this year, not only do we have the top 15 on the money list but we also have 28 of the top 30 here as well,” said Tom Maletis, President of Tournament Golf Foundation, the tournament organizer. “It is a tribute to our long history with the LPGA, the commitment of Safeway to the Tour and the players love for playing at Columbia-Edgewater Country Club.”

Proceeds from the event benefit children’s charities in Oregon through the Safeway Foundation. Last year the tournament raised over $1.1 million for programs in need and has raised over $9 million during the 12 years with Safeway as title sponsor.

The best value for fans interested in attending the event is to use their Safeway Club Card and spend $35 at any local Safeway store in Oregon or Southwest Washington. With the purchase they will get a coupon good for two any day admissions to the tournament.

For more information on the Safeway Classic, visit their website at www.safewaygolf.com.