TheSara Lee Classic was agolf tournament on theLPGA Tour from 1988 to 2002.[1][2] It was played at Hermitage Golf Course inOld Hickory, Tennessee from 1988 to 1999. In 2000, the tournament moved to the Legends Club of Tennessee inFranklin, Tennessee and changed its name to theElectrolux USA Championship.[3] The tournament was hosted by singersVince Gill andAmy Grant in its final three years.
Three-time LPGA Tour winnerCathy Gerring suffered severe burns after finishing her second round of play in that year's Sara Lee Classic. Gerring was in a buffet line at a tournament hospitality tent when a catering employee Mike Singleton tried to restart a fire with denatured alcohol. Flames erupted, engulfing Gerring from the waist up. Gerring was immediately taken to a nearby burn unit.[8]
Gerring did not play pro golf again until 1996, but never recovered her form. Three years after the accident, Gerring settled a lawsuit she filed against the catering company whose employee caused the fire to happen.[9]