Travelling week in and week out in surreal tension of competition around the world, the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic has always been a shelter of comfort and homesick cure for the Taiwanese players. Now that the page has turned and the dusts have settled, for them, leaving the Lake Merced Golf Club almost feels like leaving their beloved families.

“It’s always so special to see the familiar faces in a foreign country,” said CTBC spokesplayer Hsu Wei-Lin (徐薇淩). “Every time, it just felt kind of sad to leave everyone here and to move back into our busy schedule. The one week has gone so fast.”

Now the three-year contract between the Swinging Skirts and LPGA Tour has come to an end. Players are hoping the tournament will stay with them a little longer.

Swinging Skirts Golf Team ambassador, second-year LPGA member Lee Min (李旻) said it’s been the most memorable event for her with so much home support behind them. “This is a true touching event of our culture and descent. So many friends and families have taken this chance to watch me play. There are always so many Taiwanese players around that it feels like home.”

“This has been one of the best tournaments,” Hsu echoed. “There is always something so positive and unique about this event with the cultural vibes, the passion, and especially with it setting foot in such a beautiful host venue.”

“We usually don’t get so much attention in most events but here, everybody just cares for making our week the most memorable and fulfilling one,” Hsu added. “It’s great, because bigger expectation follows bigger attention. It’s good for all of us to have a little bit of this extra pressure to perform well, which serves as a rare learning experience and a test of our mentality.”

“I love how they have made a sporting event so cultural and artistic. A lot of players from other countries were telling me this is such a fun event. It really stands out from the schedule. It feels refreshing every year to come back to Lake Merced.” said Cheng Ssu-Chia (程思嘉), a Ladies European Tour member. “We’ve had a variety of amazing food and delicacies provided in player lounge. There is no other event where bubble tea is served. We even got to have our nails done in the locker room with the nail paints service.”

Fifteen-year LPGA veteran Candie Kung (龔怡萍) said this is a perfect opportunity for the young crops of local players, to have the chance to compete against the world’s best. “I hope it will find a way to stay. It bears too much of a rich meaning and heritage to leave the Tour.”