Tseng Solidifies Hold on No. 1 in Rolex Rankings
February 28, 2011 by
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Next Up for Tseng, Webb on the LPGA Tour: RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, Feb. 28, 2011 - Yani Tseng strengthened her hold atop the Rolex Rankings with a tie for third finish at the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore Sunday. The twenty-two year old from Taiwan closed with a final-round 67 to finish three strokes behind winner Karrie Webb, who captured her 37th career LPGA victory. Tseng was attempting to capture back-to-back LPGA victories and her fourth consecutive title world-wide.
Arguably the hottest player on the planet, over the last 11 months, Tseng has won four times on the LPGA Tour, including twice at major championships - the 2010 Kraft Nabisco Championship and the 2010 RICOH Women's British Open - and another three times internationally. After two events on the LPGA Tour in 2011, Tseng holds the early lead for the LPGA Official money list title and Vare Trophy, and she is tied with Webb for Rolex Player of the Year honors.
Entering championship Sunday in Singapore, Webb trailed Japan's Chie Arimura by one. A back-nine rally lifted the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member to a final-round 69 and a one-stroke victory. The win was Webb's 37th in a highly decorated career which includes seven major championships, three LPGA money titles, three Vare Trophies and two Rolex Player of the Year awards.
The win also lifted Webb to No. 10 in the Rolex Rankings. Webb also is the youngest player in LPGA history to achieve the Career Grand Slam, a record that Tseng is chasing. Tseng needs only to win the U.S. Women's Open to complete the Grand Slam. Tseng is 22. Webb was 26 when she accomplished the feat.
"When I was younger, I watched Karrie playing golf all the time," said Tseng after her final round in Singapore, "and then the first time played with Karrie, I was so nervous… she shot 62, so I never forgot."
Both Tseng and Webb will next compete with a host of other top-ranked players at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup to be played at Wildfire Golf Club at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa March 18-20. Webb was the last LPGA player to hoist a trophy in Phoenix when she won the 2009 Safeway Classic at Superstition Mountain. The RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup will kick start a three-week stretch in the United States, culminating in the year's first major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, where Tseng is the defending champion.
Tseng ascended to the No. 1 position on the Rolex Rankings after capturing two events in Australia co-sanctioned by the ALPG (Australian Ladies Professional Golf) and LET (Ladies European Tour). A week later, Tseng won the season-opening Honda LPGA Thailand on the LPGA Tour. While Tseng makes a case to become the game's next dominant player, several others look to get back in the mix for the race for No. 1, including former world No. 1's Jiyai Shin, Cristie Kerr and Ai Miyazato.
After a compelling start to the LPGA season, the top-10 players in the Rolex Rankings are the following: No. 1 Tseng, No. 2 Jiyai Shin, No. 3 Na Yeon Choi, No. 4 Suzann Pettersen, No. 5 Cristie Kerr, No. 6 Ai Miyazato, No. 7 I.K. Kim, No. 8 Michelle Wie, No. 9 Sun Ju Ahn, No. 10 Karrie Webb.
LPGA Futures Tour’s O’Neal Makes Splash in SI’s Swimsuit Issue
February 18, 2011 by
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LPGA Futures Tour’s O’Neal Makes Splash In SI’s Swimsuit Issue
Fans of women’s golf will recognize a familiar face in an unexpected place when they open this week’s annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
LPGA Futures Tour member Blair O’Neal is in the issue, posing in a swimsuit, in a full-page ad for Cobra Golf. O’Neal, who endorses Cobra Golf and Puma, is posed on a beach in the ad with the words across her torso, saying, “We could talk about our new Elliptical Face design, but we don’t think you’re really listening right now.”
True, O’Neal is not in this week’s issue to espouse the virtues of her golf clubs, but she also is not just another pretty face. The 5-foot-10 touring pro was a two-time NCAA Long-Drive Champion while playing college golf for Arizona State University. She has competed on the Futures Tour and throughout Asia, won three times on the Phoenix-based Cactus Tour, advanced to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament last December, and was runner-up on the Golf Channel’s 2009 “Big Break: Prince Edward Island” show.
But O’Neal, 29, truly got her big break when she won the Golf Channel’s “Big Break Dominican Republic” show last fall in a head-to-head finale against a male player. After proving her mettle against the guys and earning an exemption into the LPGA’s Kia Classic next month, O’Neal’s on-course and off-course celebrity took off. Here’s what she had to say to LPGA senior writer Lisa D. Mickey about this week’s swimsuit splash in Sports Illustrated:
LPGA: How does it feel to be featured in a full-page ad in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue?
O’NEAL: It’s a pretty big deal! I went to Barnes & Noble [Tuesday morning] to get a copy. I’ve been featured in SI’s “Top 50 Hottest Athletes of All Time,” but this is one of those bucket-list things.
LPGA: Were you surprised that Cobra wanted you to wear a swimsuit and not swing a golf club for the ad?
O’NEAL: Well, it is a swimsuit issue. [Laughter] It makes sense because it catches your eye. I think it’s a pretty clever ad.
LPGA: When did you do the photo shoot?
O’NEAL: It is actually a portfolio picture from a modeling photo shoot that I had taken last summer on a California beach. I had no idea it would go in this magazine at the time. The ad people at Cobra asked if I had a swimsuit shot and it worked out perfectly.
LPGA: What kind of response have you had so far?
O’NEAL: I’ve received a lot of email, Facebook and Twitter messages and really good feedback. I didn’t tell too many people because I wanted to make sure it was really going to happen. The ultimate would be if SI wanted me to do something with them in the future. You never know where things lead, but already, I’m off to a good start.
LPGA: Did all of this come about after you won the “Big Break” last year?
O’NEAL: I think my career certainly changed a lot after the “Big Break” shows. When I was the runner-up in the first show and they asked me to come back, I felt like the second chance was huge. To win that second show was such an amazing feeling. My “Big Break” experiences led me to co-host the “Donald J. Trump’s Fabulous World of Golf” last year, and I appeared on another Golf Channel show last year called “InfuZe My Game,” which was a series of shows that’s kind of like a golf makeover. I think all of these things jump-started my career.
LPGA: When did you start modeling?
O’NEAL: I started modeling as soon as I graduated from college in 2003. My first job was modeling for the Golf Digest World Calendar sold in Japan. I did that for two years and it was a way for me to pay for my golf expenses. I was still playing professional golf on the Futures Tour, but I broke my foot in 2006, and then I took some modeling jobs and ended up taking off three years from tournament golf.
LPGA: What kind of modeling were you doing?
O’NEAL: I was modeling for a ton of companies, doing athletic apparel, swimsuits and fashion. Golf companies liked me because I know how to play. I signed with Ford Models and have worked with companies like Nike, Izod, Under Armour, Tehama, Tommy Bahama, Road Runner Sports, Dillard’s and Reebok.
LPGA: So, how did you fit golf into your modeling schedule?
O’NEAL: [Laughter] As soon as I started playing golf at age 11, my dream has always been to play on the LPGA. I love competing. Last year, my main focus was on golf and I kind of put modeling on the back burner. When I signed with Puma and Cobra, it was because I like their clubs and clothing line and I wanted to compete using their products. Plus, they think outside the box and found a way to use two things I can do. I enjoy modeling, but golf is what I’m passionate about.
LPGA: You won your exemption into the LPGA’s Kia Classic by winning the “Big Break Domincan Republic.” Will that be your first LPGA tournament?
O’NEAL: Yes, unless I get into the LPGA’s tournament [RR Donnelley LPGA Founder’s Cup] in Phoenix. I feel like I keep inching closer and closer to my goal of playing on the LPGA Tour. Things are finally coming together and it’s all happening so fast.
LPGA: Are you more of a model who plays golf or a golfer who models?
O’NEAL: A golfer who models. I’m a golfer who has other qualities and interests off the course. Hopefully, through the modeling, I can bring new people to the different women’s golf tours I play. And maybe people who open up Sports Illustrated and see the ad will want to come check out the LPGA Tour and LPGA Futures Tour.
For more on Blair O’Neal, visit www.blairgolf.com and www.blaironeal.com .
McPherson named to Arthritis National Research Foundation Board of Directors
February 17, 2011 by
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LPGA Tour player Kristy McPherson has been named to the Board of Directors of the Arthritis National Research Foundation based in Long Beach, California. McPherson is an inspiration to the more than 300,000 kids in America with juvenile arthritis. Diagnosed with Still's Disease as a child, McPherson was told at the age of 11 that she would never play competitive sports again. That's when she discovered the game of golf, a low-impact sport that could satisfy her competitive desires and keep her active.
"Kristy McPherson brings a whole new dimension to the Arthritis National Research Foundation," said Helen Belisle, Executive Director of the Arthritis National Research Foundation. "Her international visibility as a golf celebrity and her personal story of faith and victory over her jRA will inspire not only children, but adults who suffer the pain of arthritis every day."
Beating the odds of Still's Disease, McPherson qualified for the LPGA Tour in 2007after finishing fourth on the 2006 LPGA Futures Tour money list. Since joining the LPGA, she has posted 17 top-10s, including three runner-up finishes. McPherson, who is currently No. 35 on the Rolex Rankings, was also a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup team in 2009.
McPherson will play an integral role with the Arthritis National Research Foundation to increase the public's awareness about arthritis, the fact that kids get arthritis too, and about the critical need for research to eventually cure these diseases. The Arthritis National Research Foundation donates 91 cents of every dollar donated to research.
"Research is the key to finding new treatments and cures," McPherson said, "and we concentrate our efforts only on research."
McPherson will also play for the Arthritis National Research Foundation at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup March 18-20 at Wildfire Golf Club at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa. With a $ 500,000 charitable pool up-for-grabs, McPherson could make a big impact on the cause so close to her heart.
"We need you to join our team in the fight against arthritis," McPherson said. "This organization deserves your support."
Tseng Set to Ascend to Rolex Rankings No. 1
February 13, 2011 by
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Tseng Set to Ascend to Rolex Rankings No. 1 as LPGA Tour season kicks off this week in Thailand
The 2011 LPGA Tour season begins as 2010 ended, with a battle at the topStar-packed lineup prepares to tee off Thursday at Honda LPGA Thailand
Japan’s Ai Miyazato set to defend her titles in both Thailand and Singapore
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, February 13, 2011 – Yani Tseng, 22, the 2010 Rolex Player of the Year, is projected by the LPGA Tour to ascend to the top of the Rolex Rankings for the first time in her still blossoming career when the Rolex Rankings are officially announced Monday.
Tseng captures the No. 1 ranking as the eagerly anticipated 2011 LPGA Tour season kicks off this week at the Honda LPGA Thailand, where a star-studded field awaits fans following Golf’s Global Tour.
Taiwan’s Tseng surged to the top spot from her 2010 season-ending position of No. 5 by winning the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and the ANZ RACV Ladies Masters over the past two weeks, tournaments co-sanctioned by the ALPG (Australian Ladies Professional Golf) and LET (Ladies European Tour). Tseng accomplished one of her goals for the season before hitting a single ball on the LPGA Tour, which begins Thursday in Chonburi, Thailand at the Siam Country Club.
“It is so soon,” Tseng said. “I wasn’t expecting it as quickly as this. I still have another 10 months to go. I just need to be very patient and keep working hard. I still have a lot of things to learn too.”
If that’s the case, it should make for a riveting 2011 LPGA Tour season. Tseng already has won three of the four LPGA Tour majors—the 2008 LPGA Championship, and the 2010 Kraft Nabisco Championship and 2010 RICOH Women’s British Open—and has her eyes set on capturing this year’s U.S. Women’s Open, to be contested at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado from July 7-10. If Tseng achieves her goal of winning the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open, she will become the youngest player in LPGA history to achieve the LPGA Career Grand Slam.
Last season, Japan’s Ai Miyazato was the hottest player out of the gates as she set the stage for a season-long battle for supremacy on the LPGA Tour. She is the defending champion this week in Thailand and next week at the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore. Both events will be shown on the Golf Channel.
After the two-tournament season-opening swing in Asia, the LPGA prepares for three tournaments out West in the U.S. The inaugural RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup, a 134-player, 54-hole event, will take place March 18-20 at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Arizona. Players participating will forgo a tournament purse in favor of financially supporting the LPGA Foundation that runs the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program as well as their own favorite charities. The Kia Classic, moving to the Los Angeles area this year, will follow from March 24-27, while the LPGA Tour’s first major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, will be held March 31-April 3.
In 2011, LPGA Tour players will showcase their talent across 13 different countries including new tournaments in the U.S., Taiwan and China. Who will distinguish herself on the leader boards this season? Along with Tseng and Miyazato, there are a number of other exciting players to watch closely in 2011:
Other notables to watch the next two weeks in Thailand and Singapore include Americans Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer, who both posted impressive victories last year (Wie at the CN Canadian Open, and Creamer for her first major, the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open); South Korea’s I.K. Kim, who won the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in 2010 and proceeded to donate all her winnings to charity; a pair of second-year Spaniards—last season’s Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Azahara Munoz and Rolex First-time Winner Beatriz Recari; and a riveting rookie class that includes Americans Jessica Korda and Jennifer Song, who both will be playing at the Honda LPGA Thailand on sponsor exemptions.
Creamer’s statement regarding RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup
February 12, 2011 by
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Paula Creamer's statement regarding RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup
I am very pleased to have learned of the significant changes to the inaugural RR Donnelley Founders Cup. As I have said all along, I have no issues playing for charity in 2011 in order to honor our Founders, to help the future of the game, and to create another event to showcase the talents of the LPGA to a worldwide audience. I appreciate the RR Donnelley company’s amazing support. I have a strong belief and hope that this event will transition to a full field regular event in future years, with the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf as our annual charitable component, much like what all of our other LPGA events do with their respective charities. I think it is important to grow our domestic schedule and to associate with a large prestigious company like RR Donnelley. Hopefully this is the beginning of a partnership that will last decades.
I believe Commissioner Whan has shown his leadership abilities by listening to his players, and implementing changes as a result. It would have been easy to just say “maybe next year”. I know many players shared my concern that the purse and the charitable donation did not match. But now, with the purse being fully funded like all other events, and the entire $ 1,000,000 purse going to charity, I am in!! With $ 500,000 going to Girls Golf and another $ 500,000 being player directed, I have already received dozens of requests from charities to represent them in the RR Donnelley Founders Cup. All are great causes and I hope this RR Donnelley Founders Cup will bring more awareness not only to Girls Golf but also to the many very worthwhile charities that my fellow players are dedicated to helping day in and day out. My playing in the RR Donnelley Founders Cup will personally give me the opportunity to support and direct some of the $ 1,000,000 charity donation. Being able to hopefully positively impact people’s lives through the RR Donnelley Founders Cup is a very, very good feeling. I am looking forward to playing.
Player Charity Donations Increased for RR Donnelley Founders Cup
February 11, 2011 by
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Player Charity Donations Increased for RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup
Tournament now will increase its charity commitment to $ 1 million
Charities designated by players to date include the Arthritis National Research Foundation, Special Olympics Ontario and the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, Feb. 11, 2011 – The LPGA today announced enhancements to the inaugural RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup, to be held March 18-20, 2011 at Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona.
The tournament now will increase its commitment to charity to $ 1 million, with $ 500,000 going to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf and $ 500,000 going to the top-10 finishers’ designated charities. The RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup will donate the full amount of the purse to charity—$ 1 million—while maintaining its designed competitive environment by attributing winnings to the players for purposes of the 2011 LPGA Official money list.
“The concept of Founders Cup has energized the LPGA, our partner RR Donnelley, players, tournaments and leading industries within the golf community,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “I certainly could have done a better job of initially articulating the details to players and media, as that has led to some confusion about the tournament’s goals and objectives. We now look forward to a very unique tournament that will honor the LPGA’s Founders, showcase and celebrate today’s LPGA players, and provide for the future of the game.”
Additionally, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the 2011 season, will provide the top-five finishers at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup a coveted entry into the tournament to be held March 31-April 3. Also, due to the high volume of early player commitments, the LPGA has decided to conduct a qualifying tournament on Tuesday, March 15, with two players earning a spot in the field, now being expanded from 132 to 134 players.
In making today’s announcement, Whan also expressed special thanks to the Phoenix market which has rallied around the tournament, led by the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, along with golf insiders including PING (which is based in Phoenix), TaylorMade, Nike, Callaway and Adams Golf.
The winner will be able to designate $ 200,000 to the charity of her choice, while the second-place finisher will donate $ 100,000. The complete breakdown:
1st place: $ 200,000 to charity of player’s choice
2nd place: $ 100,000 to charity of player’s choice
3rd place: $ 55,000 to charity of player’s choice
4th place: $ 40,000 to charity of player’s choice
5th place: $ 30,000 to charity of player’s choice
6th place: $ 25,000 to charity of player’s choice
7th place: $ 20,000 to charity of player’s choice
8th place: $ 15,000 to charity of player’s choice
9th place: $ 10,000 to charity of player’s choice
10th place: $ 5,000 to charity of player’s choice
LPGA players already have begun announcing the charities in which they will designate. Among the early designations:
Kristy McPherson (U.S.): Arthritis National Research Foundation
Aree Song (Korea): Captain Planet Foundation
Momoko Ueda (Japan): The Momoken Project
Stephanie Sherlock (Canada): Special Olympics Ontario
Natalie Gulbis (U.S.): The Girls & Boys Club of Henderson Serving Southern Nevada
Beatriz Recari (Spain): The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness
Leta Lindley (U.S.): Josilyns Faith Foundation for Prader-Willi Syndrome Inc.
Sophie Gustafson (Sweden): AIS
Sara Brown (U.S.): Stand Up & Play Foundation
Taylor Leon (U.S.): LPGA Foundation
Beth Bader (U.S.): Susan L. Bader Foundation of Hope
Alena Sharp (Canada): Susan L. Bader Foundation of Hope
Players at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup will count their results on the LPGA Official Money List, and they also will earn points towards Rolex Player of the Year, Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year, Rolex Rankings and U.S. Solheim Cup team. Scores posted also will count towards the prestigious Vare Trophy.
“We now have more money going to charity and a unique, exciting platform to showcase the LPGA,” Whan said. “The RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup will showcase some of best female golfers in the world in a city, Phoenix, which is rich in LPGA history. Phoenix has hosted LPGA events in 36 separate years and the Girls Golf program began there. By making this an official event, LPGA fans also will witness all three rounds of a world-class televised event in the U.S. on Golf Channel and around the world on our partner networks.”
Fans can visit www.LPGAFounders.com to catch the most up-to-date information regarding the tournament, including tickets, volunteers and sponsorship opportunities. The 54-hole event will feature a field of 134 players and special appearances by LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame members.
18 Holes at RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup Named
February 10, 2011 by
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18 Holes at RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup to be Named After LPGA Founders, LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame Members
PHOENIX, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 – The fans have voted and the individual 18 holes at the Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, home of the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup, will be named for the original 13 LPGA Founders and five LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame members during the tournament. The five Hall of Fame members were chosen by fan votes on www.LPGA.com.
Holes one and 7-18 will be named after LPGA Founders, while holes 2-6 will be named after Hall of Fame members: Nancy Lopez; Juli Inkster; Annika Sorenstam; Mickey Wright and Kathy Whitworth.
Holes/Player Names
Hole 1: Patty Berg*
Hole 2: Nancy Lopez
Hole 3: Juli Inkster
Hole 4: Annika Sorenstam
Hole 5: Mickey Wright
Hole 6: Kathy Whitworth
Hole 7: Alice Bauer*
Hole 8: Helen Hicks*
Hole 9: Marilynn Smith*
Hole 10: Shirley Spork*
Hole 11: Opal Hill*
Hole 12: Sally Sessions*
Hole 13: Helen Dettweitter*
Hole 14: Betty Dannoff*
Hole 15: Betty Jameson*
Hole 16: Marlene Hagge*
Hole 17: Babe Zaharias*
Hole 18: Louise Suggs*
*Indicates LPGA Founder
LPGA Founder and/or LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame Member Bios
(listed alphabetically)
Alice Bauer turned professional in 1950. Her career-best LPGA finish was a second at the 1955 Heart of America Tournament when she lost to fellow LPGA Founder Marilynn Smith in a playoff. Her best year on Tour was 1956, when she finished 14th on the LPGA Official money list. Bauer was sister to LPGA Founder Marlene Bauer Hagge and she was one of the first LPGA players, along with Founder Bettye Danoff, to travel the Tour with her children
Patty Berg, LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member, amassed 60 career LPGA Tour victories, including an astounding 15 major championships – more than any other player in LPGA Tour history. Berg was one of the first players to land an endorsement contract, representing Wilson Sporting Goods from the time she turned professional in 1940 until the year of her death in 2006. Berg led the LPGA money list three times and claimed three Vare Trophies. In 1955, she became the first LPGA player to achieve both honors in the same year. In 1978, to recognize and honor Berg’s diplomacy, sportsmanship, goodwill and contributions to the game, the LPGA established the Patty Berg Award for outstanding contributions to women's golf.
Bettye Danoff turned professional in 1949, after a tremendous amateur career in Texas. While Danoff never won an LPGA event, she competed in seven U.S. Women’s Opens, finishing in the top 30 six times. Danoff, who was one of the first players to travel the LPGA Tour with her children, retired from full-time play at the age of 38 to care for her two children after the passing of her husband. Danoff was also the first LPGA Tour player to become a grandmother.
Helen Dettweiler won the 1939 Western Open as an amateur and became the first recipient of the LPGA Teacher of the Year Award in 1958. Before joining the LPGA, Dettweiler became the first female baseball broadcaster when she called play-by-play for the Washington Senators. She was also the first woman to design and build a golf course – a nine-hole track in Indio, California, which today is part of the Indian Palm Country Club. Dettweiller served in World War II as a member of the WASPs. Chosen as one of 17 women to fly B-17 bomber, Dettweiler also served as a cryptographer, eventually responsible for training decoders across the United States.
Marlene Bauer Hagge joined the LPGA Tour at the age of 16. She captured her first LPGA victory at the 1952 Sarasota Open, becoming the youngest player in LPGA history to win a tournament. In her career, Hagge amassed 26 LPGA Tour victories, including one major championship – the 1956 LPGA Championship. That same year, Hagge led the LPGA money list, recorded eight wins and nine runner-up finishes. Hagge was elected to the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame on the veterans’ ballot in 2002.
Helen Hicks, recognized to be one of the first female professional golfers in the United States, turned professional in 1932. She was the first female professional to land an endorsement contract with an equipment company when she was hired by Wilson Sporting Goods to travel promoting golf equipments and giving clinics. Hicks became the first professional to capture the Women’s Western Open in 1937, and later won the 1940 Titleholders. As an amateur, Hicks won the 1931 U.S. Women’s Amateur.
Opal Hill took up the game of golf at the age of 31 after her doctor recommended light exercise to help with chronic medical problems. Once introduced to the game, Hill was hooked. She had an impressive amateur career which included three Western Amateur titles (1929, 1931-1932), three Trans-Mississippi victories (1928-1929, 1931), one North and South Amateur Championship (1928), three Missouri State Championships (1935-1937) and two Western Women’s Opens (1935-1936). Hill served as the 1935 Chairman of the USGA Women’s Committee.
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Betty Jameson captured 13 LPGA tournament titles, including three major championships. As an amateur, Jameson won the 1939 and 1940 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships and, in 1942, became the first player to win both the Women’s Western Amateur and Women’s Western Open in the same season. Jameson conceived the idea of annually honoring the LPGA player with the lowest scoring average and donated the trophy that became the Vare Trophy.
Sally Sessions turned professional in 1948. Although she never won an LPGA event, Sessions finished fifth in the 1949 Tam O’Shanter All-American and tied for 10th at the 1948 U.S. Women’s Open won by Babe Zaharias. She also served as the first secretary of the LPGA. As an amateur Sessions finished runner-up to Betty Jameson the 1947 U.S. Women's Open. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Sessions won the 1941 Michigan Jr. Golf Championship and the 1946 Michigan State Women’s Amateur.
World Golf Hall of Fame member Marilynn Smith captured 21 career LPGA victories, including two major championships. While serving as the President of the LPGA from 1958-1960, Smith was instrumental in forming the LPGA teaching division. She was the first female television commentator for a men’s golf tournament (1973 U.S. Open and the Colonial In 1979), and she also earned the honor of becoming the first recipient of the Patty Berg Award in 1979 for distinguished service to women’s golf. Today, Smith hosts the annual Marilynn Smith LPGA Charity Classic to raise money for college-bound female golfers.
Shirley Spork, well-known for her role as an LPGA Founder, is also widely known for her exceptional teaching ability. Spork, who won the 1959 and 1984 LPGA National Teacher of the Year Awards, the only LPGA member, besides Dr. DeDe Owens, to win the prestigious award twice, was one of the six inaugural inductees into the LPGA T&CP Hall of Fame in 2000. Spork also served as the chairman of the LPGA teaching division for six consecutive years, beginning in 1960. As a player, Spork’s career-best LPGA finish was a second at the 1962 LPGA Championship.
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Louise Suggs amassed 58 career LPGA Tour wins, including 11 major championships. She became the first player in LPGA history to complete the Career Grand Slam when she won the 1957 LPGA Championship. Suggs twice led the LPGA money list (1953, 1960) and once captured the Vare Trophy (1957). In 1961, Suggs won the Dallas Civitan Open becoming the first LPGA player to win the same tournament in three consecutive years. The LPGA honored Suggs in 2000, with the creation of the Louise Suggs Trophy, presented annually to the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year. That same year, Suggs was named to the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Hall of Fame and given the Patty Berg Award.
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Babe Zaharias captured 41 career titles, including 10 major championships. In the first year of the LPGA Tour, Zaharias swept all three major championships. Not including the 10 tournaments Zaharias won prior to the formation of the LPGA, Zaharias became the fastest player to reach 10 wins – a record she still holds today. She also holds the records for the fastest player to reach 20 wins and the fastest player to reach 30 wins. Zaharias won the Vare Trophy in 1954, the year after undergoing cancer surgery. That same year, she became the first-ever recipient of the Ben Hogan Award. Zaharias was the first female player to compete in a PGA Tour event, making three consecutive PGA Tour cuts with a personal-best finish 33rd at the 1945 Phoenix Open.
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Mickey Wright captured 82 career LPGA titles, including 13 major championships. Wright is the only LPGA player to have held all four major championship trophies at the same time – 1961 U.S. Women’s Open, 1961 LPGA Championship, 1962 Titleholders, 1962 Western Open. She won five consecutive Vare Trophies from 1960-1964 and won a remarkable 43 events from 1961-1964. Wright holds multiple LPGA Tour records including the youngest player to reach 30, 40 and 50 wins, the fastest player to reach 40 and 50 wins and the most wins in a single season with 13.
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Kathy Whitworth holds the LPGA record for the most tournament victories with 88 which includes six major championship titles. In her career she captured seven Player of the Year awards, seven Vare Trophies and she led the LPGA money list eight times. She holds the LPGA record for the most consecutive seasons with a victory with 17 and the record for the most seasons with a victory with 22. Whitworth captained two U.S. Solheim Cup teams.
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Nancy Lopez won 48 career LPGA tournaments, including three major championships. She shares the LPGA record for the most consecutive wins in tournaments participated with five and holds the records for the youngest player to reach 10 and 20 wins. Lopez was named the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year in 1979 when she won nine times. She captured Rolex Player of the Year honors four times and won four Vare Trophies.
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Juli Inkster has won 31 LPGA tournaments, including seven major championships. Inkster is one of only six players to have achieved the career Grand Slam. She was the 1984 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year and the recipient of the prestigious Patty Berg Award in 2009. Inkster has participated in eight Solheim Cup competitions with an overall record of 15-10-6 and a remarkable 6-1-1 singles record.
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Annika Sorenstam captured 73 career LPGA victories, including 10 major championships. Sorenstam won the Rolex Player of the Year award eight times, earned six Vare Trophies and was named the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year in 1994. Sorenstam holds multiple LPGA all-time scoring records including the only 59 shot by a female in the game of golf. She holds the record for the most consecutive wins at the same tournament with five. Sorenstam played on the European Solheim Cup team eight times with an overall record of 22-11-4.
RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup: Paying it Forward in Phoenix
February 9, 2011 by
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The LPGA brought together the past, the present and the future of the LPGA and women’s golf to celebrate the goals, objectives and themes of the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup. Commissioner Whan joined LPGA Founder Marilynn Smith, six-time winner LPGA tour winner Grace Park, LPGA Tour rookie Sara Brown and LPGA-USGA Girls Golf participant Hanna Atkins for a special Media Day at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa on Tuesday.
Commissioner Whan made his second trip to Phoenix in the last week, arriving in the wee hours of the morning to get ready for Media Day. He addressed the guests on his vision for the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup, his respect for the LPGA Founders and the impact that Girls Golf has on young women and the game.
“I really think and know we're doing something truly unique – not only in golf – but in sport.” Whan said. “This tournament is about respecting the philosophy that they (LPGA Founders) laid down. Quite frankly, we're going to try consistently to embody that philosophy. This is an event about remembering the past, but more importantly, paying it forward to the future, just like they did for us.”
Rick Ryan, Director of Marketing for RR Donnelley, also made the trip to Phoenix. RR Donnelley has increased its commitment to the LPGA in a big way, growing from “Official Print Provider of the LPGA” to title sponsor and partner for this one-of-a-kind event.
“As Mike said, we are an old company, 150 years old almost. We have never done anything like this in our history. We were a very unlikely candidate to be a title sponsor. We have not supported any other professional league, men's, women's. In this particular event, saluting the founders and supporting the current players and empowering the future players is everything that we're about as a company.”
LPGA Founder Marilynn Smith captivated the media and guests with her stories of the early days of the LPGA. Smith also spoke of her passion for the event.
“What an awesome concept this was,” Smith said. “One thing that sets it apart when I was speaking to the Commissioner on the phone a couple months ago, he said that the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, about 6,500 girls started the game of golf a year. With this program, giving the money to charity to the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, he's hoping that 20,000 young women will take up the game. I think that's very unique, that there's something like this in any sporting organization. So it kind of sets the LPGA, the standard is up there. I'm very proud you have this tournament.”
Grace Park, who had the shortest commute to the press conference from her home in Phoenix, will return to LPGA Tour action at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup.
“I couldn't miss a tournament in Phoenix. It's my hometown. This is where I learned to play golf. This is where I accomplished my whole career. I couldn't possibly miss this tournament. I came back. I'm hoping to play this event, play well, play full season and play healthy.”
LPGA Tour rookie Sara Brown, who will play for the Stand Up and Play Foundation, gave the Phoenix media the full glimpse of her effervescent personality with stories of her Big Break appearances. Brown is looking forward to starting the LPGA season, and as a young player, already has a good sense for the history of the game and the Founders.
“I've been playing golf since I was eight. It's always been a dream to be on the LPGA. I've seen her (Grace Park) play tons of times. So to meet her, hear about Marilynn, you hear about the excitement of the LPGA, I'm happy and very ready to get going. To have our first tournament be in Phoenix, close to my home, I'm excited. The fact that it's for charity, you have to give back. You have to know where you came from, and I will never forget that. I'm just excited to get out here and play.”
Tseng surges to No. 2 in Rolex Rankings with victory in Australia
February 7, 2011 by
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Shin maintains top honors with tie for second DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, Feb. 7, 2011 - Taiwan's Yani Tseng jumped three spots to No. 2 in the Rolex Rankings following her victory Sunday at the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open on the Ladies European Tour (LET). With the win, the 22-year-old moved 0.37 points behind Rolex Rankings No. 1 Jiyai Shin, who tied for second with two others at the Australian Open. Tseng won three times on the LPGA Tour last season including major championship victories at the Kraft Nabisco and RICOH Women's British Open. She also won the P&G NW Arkansas Championship Presented by Walmart and added 2010 Rolex Player of the Year honors to a résumé that includes 2008 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year honors, five Tour victories (with three majors) and over $ 4.6 million in earnings in three seasons. She continues her quest for world No. 1 at this week's ANZ RACV Ladies Masters on the LET before teeing it up at the LPGA season-opening Honda LPGA Thailand. She will then go on to the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore before playing the inaugural RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup in Phoenix. |
LPGA Announces Early Commitments to RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup
January 28, 2011 by
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Rolex Player of the Year Yani Tseng and U.S. Solheim Cup veterans Natalie Gulbis, Christina Kim,
Brittany Lincicome, Kristy McPherson and Angela Stanford among those scheduled to play
Tournament adds $ 200,000 charitable purse for top-five finishers;
Donations to be made in player's name to their charity of choice
LPGA Founders Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork and Louise Suggs and
LPGA Hall of Fame members Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley, Betsy King and Patty Sheehan
set to join current players in Phoenix and participate in special activities
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, Jan. 28, 2011 - The LPGA today announced early commitments to the first-annual RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup, an event that will showcase the LPGA's past, present and future, March 18-20, 2011 at Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona.
Fan favorites and U.S. Solheim Cup Team veterans Natalie Gulbis, Christina Kim, Brittany Lincicome, Kristy McPherson and Angela Stanford, and three-time major champion Yani Tseng are among those scheduled to tee it up in support of LPGA-USGA Girls Golf and other charities at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup.
Today on Golf Channel's Morning Drive, McPherson broke the news that prior to the first round of the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup on March 18, each LPGA player will be asked to designate the charity for which she will play. At the end of the week, the tournament will donate $ 100,000 to the charity of the champion's choice and $ 50,000 to the charity of the runner-up's choice. The tournament will also donate $ 25,000, $ 15,000 and $ 10,000 to the charities chosen by the third, fourth and fifth-place finishers.
"I think it's a great opportunity for the LPGA, and [Commissioner] Mike Whan always says 'let's leave the Tour a lot better than it was when we found it,'" said McPherson on Golf Channel. "We have a chance to go do something great, and with the help of RR Donnelley we're going to be able to do that. It's still the same as far as Solheim Cup points, [Rolex] world rankings. It's our chance to do something great."
LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan also clarified RR Donnelley's role as title sponsor of the event.
"The great thing here is that RR Donnelley is paying full title sponsor money, including television costs, just like any other title sponsor would," Whan said. "In this case, we're able to use some of that money toward the operational costs of running the event and the rest to make a significant contribution to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf."
The 132-player field is currently full with an alternate list building. LPGA Founders Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork and Louise Suggs will be in attendance along with LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame members Nancy Lopez, Betsy King, Pat Bradley and Patty Sheehan, all of whom plan to play the pro-am and an 18-hole exhibition match on Friday morning.
"I truly feel like sometimes athletes in general can sometimes forget where we all come from," said Christina Kim. "A decade ago I wasn't playing for money, just a trophy and love of the game. The Founders of the LPGA didn't have the endorsement opportunities that we have today. I am so proud of Mike Whan's vision, for remembering it's not just about the future of the game, but also about remembering and honoring the past."
"I'm looking forward to playing in the Founders Cup," said Angela Stanford. "RR Donnelley supports the LPGA on many different levels and I know they want the charitable dollars to grow each year. The first year of anything is a learning experience and I think it's great that RR Donnelley is willing to learn and grow with us."
"It will be a regular tournament, you just don't [earn] money," said reigning Kraft Nabisco and RICOH Women's British Open champion Yani Tseng. "So, you're helping people and it makes you happy too. It doesn't matter how much money you win. Everything goes to charity and that's a very good thing."
In celebration of the LPGA's past, present and future, the net proceeds from the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders
Cup will benefit The LPGA Foundation and its LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program. LPGA Tour players will forego tournament earnings in support of Girls Golf which reaches more than 6,000 junior golfers annually.
Fans now can visit www.LPGAFounders.com to catch the most up-to-date information regarding the tournament, including player entries, tickets, volunteers and sponsorship opportunities. The 54-hole event will feature a field of 132 players and special appearances by LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame members.
2011 RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup – Volunteer Information
January 20, 2011 by
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE AT RR DONNELLEY LPGA FOUNDERS CUP MARCH 14-20, 2011 AT JW MARRIOTT DESERT RIDGE RESORT
Volunteers opportunities are available at the newly-created RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup to be played at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort the week of March 14-20, 2011. Volunteer registration cost is $ 60, but each volunteer will receive a package valued at over $ 300.
As a volunteer you will receive the following:
- One Tournament Logo’d Antigua Golf Polo
- One Piece of headwear (Unisex Visor, Women’s Visor, Baseball Cap)
- One Tournament Lanyard
- Meals provided for each shift worked
- Drawstring Backpack
- One Credential – provides access to tournament grounds
- One Complimentary Pass for friends and family – good for the entire week
- One Commemorative Lapel Pin
- One Complementary round of golf at Wildfire Golf Club. (Some black out dates and restrictions will apply)
Entire packaged is valued at over $ 300 dollars. Cost to become a volunteer: $ 60.00
Ability to purchase the following:
- Extra Tournament Golf Shirt- $ 30 (tax included)
- Official Tournament Wind jacket- $ 45 (tax included)
- Men’s or Women’s Straw Hat- $ 23 (tax included)
Requirements
- You must work a minimum of two (2) shifts (minimum of 4-6 hour shifts), unless otherwise stated in the committee section.
- You must be at least 18 years of age by March 14, 2011 to volunteer unless Legal Guardian waiver is signed.
- Must be able to stand/walk for elongated periods of time
Individuals interested in volunteering may call 1-888-LPGATIX or email Coordinator Lisa Starkey at lisa.starkey@cox.net or register online here >>
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE AT RR DONNELLEY LPGA FOUNDERS CUP
Access Control: Ensure that clients with proper credentials are allowed access to designated areas and help assist in those areas. May include hospitality and dining areas.
Admissions/Will Call: Distribute pre-purchased tournament credentials to the appropriate recipient and sell tickets on site. May require extended periods outside. May require extended periods standing. May involve computers or other technology.
Caddie HQ: Manage and maintain caddie area. Responsibilities include caddie registration, towel and vest distribution, staffing and caddie hospitality area, and recruiting a small pool of caddies for potential use by professional golfers. May require extended periods outside. May require extended periods standing or heavy lifting.
Leaderboards: Manage and operate all manual scoreboards and assist the calligrapher with providing up to date scores. May require periods outside.
Locker Room: Assist in the operations of the Professional locker room. (Women only for this committee)
Marshals: Provide ball spotting to players and control the movement and conversations of spectators; on-course active position. Also the committee is responsible for handling the movement of the players during an evacuation. (Minimum 4 days) * May require extended periods outside. * May require extended periods standing.
Media Services: Assist in the operations of the media center. Responsibilities include registering the media, answering questions, assisting with interviews, distributing information and scores. * May involve computers or other technology.
Merchandise: Assist in replenishing and selling tournament goods in the official tournament merchandise pavilion.
On-Course Services: Replenish water, ice, printed material and other products on course. * May require extended periods outside. * May require heavy lifting.
Pro-Am and Junior Clinic: Assist with the pro-am and various youth and auxiliary events during the tournament.
Professional Services: Responsibilities include professional registration including preparing player packets.
Scoring Tents and Control: Collect scorecards, check addition and make sure players turn in their cards. Committee is instrumental in the establishing communication between all committees at the golf tournament. This committee is also essential in the scoring of the tournament. May involve computers or other technology.
Shuttles and Golf Carts: Control distribution of tournament carts and shuttle players and volunteers on course between designated holes. Must be a minimum of 21 years old and be knowledgeable about golf etiquette. * May require extended periods outside.
Standard Bearers: Carry a sign inside the ropes during play and display players’ scores. Volunteers must be able to walk all 18 holes on the golf course. * May require extended periods standing. * May require heavy lifting.
Starter Tents: Manage the starter tents on #1 and #10.
Tournament Office: Assist with general office duties and errands (This committee will begin before event week, leading through the end of Tournament Week.) * May involve computers or other technology.
Transportation: Manage tournament cars and transport players and tournament guests from airport to designated hotel or course. (This committee may begin operation the weekend prior to Tournament Week.)
TV Spotters: Committee works with television production crew in monitoring the tournament leaders for television broadcast. * May require extended periods outside.
Volunteer Tent: Assist with volunteers' check-in, manage tent services, and support other volunteer committees as needed during the day. Also, handle production and distribution of credentials and uniforms.
Walking Scorer: Responsibilities include keeping score on handheld device and walk all 18 holes on the golf course. * May require extended periods outside. * May require extended periods standing.
RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup Holes To Honor Players
January 19, 2011 by
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Each hole at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup Starts Build Up Toward Phoenix Tournament
January 18, 2011 by
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In celebration of the LPGA's past, present and future, the net proceeds from the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup will benefit The LPGA Foundation and its LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program. LPGA Tour players will forego tournament earnings in support of Girls Golf which reaches more than 5,000 junior golfers annually.
"The RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup represents more than the game of golf," said Thomas J. Quinlan III, RR Donnelley's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The event will help secure the future by raising funds to teach young women and girls the life skills inherent in the game itself - patience, perseverance, honesty and respect - providing them with the building blocks to become future role models both on and off the golf course. At the same time, the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup salutes the past contributions of the 13 Founders of the LPGA and showcases the very best in women's golf of today."
The LPGA will showcase stars of the past, present and future in the Phoenix market at a special media day February 8th at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. LPGA Founder Marilynn Smith, six-time LPGA Tour winner Grace Park and LPGA Tour rookie Sara Brown will be on hand to speak with the media. More information on the Media Day activities will be forthcoming.
The 54-hole event will feature a field of 132 players and special appearances by LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame members.
LPGA Foundation Enhances Board of Directors
January 12, 2011 by
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., January 12, 2011 - The LPGA today announced that it will expand its Board of Directors for The LPGA Foundation from nine members to 15 members, reappointing two existing board members and adding six new members. The announcement follows the addition of the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup to the 2011 LPGA Tour schedule and marks LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan's commitment to develop a two-year plan to strengthen The LPGA Foundation and enhance its impact.
The inaugural RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup, designed to honor the LPGA's pioneers, showcase the world's greatest female athletes of the present and, most importantly, build a strong and robust future for women in the game of golf, will benefit The LPGA Foundation. The LPGA Foundation Board will broaden its scope and take a more active role in the development of the event.
"The LPGA Foundation has been in place for a number of years, but our intention now is to grow the Foundation so it further supports the mission of the LPGA to educate, inspire and empower women," said Carol Corcoran, LPGA Foundation President. "We are expanding the board to engage others who are passionate about the LPGA and share our desire to provide opportunities for more young girls to participate and excel in golf. The benefit for girls in the game helps them to learn about competition and to develop good health practices and self-esteem."
A 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, the LPGA Foundation oversees: the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program, which provides a platform to expose young girls to golf and help them develop life skills; the Dolores Hope Financial Assistance Initiative, which offers support to members of the golf industry experiencing extreme hardship; and five scholarship programs that provide college-bound women with tuition assistance.
The six new board members include LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Nancy Lopez, who owns 48 LPGA Tour victories and served in roles as captain for both the U.S. Solheim Cup and U.S. Junior Solheim Cup teams. Also joining the board: Donna Bailey, a retired executive from Policy Management Systems Corporation, who resides in Kiawah Island, S.C., and Asheville, N.C.; Rick Brawner, an entrepreneur of San Antonio, Texas, whose companies include Nutrition Enterprise, Inc., and Live Enterprise, Inc.; Lynn Connelly, a former 12-year LPGA Tour member and former LPGA board member who is now founding partner/managing partner of ACCESSCIRCLES, LLC in Greenwich, Conn.; Barbara Kauffman of Orlando, Fla., a marketing strategist and golf industry analyst who is president of Kauffman and Associates, Inc.; and Donna Richardson Joyner, appointed to the Presidential Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition under President Barack Obama and an advisory board member for the Boys and Girls Club of America.
Board chairman Lewis Horne of Atlanta, and board member Jim Eden of Jackson Hole, Wyo., each will return to the board for another three-year term. Horne is a law partner with Schiff Hardin in Atlanta, and Eden is CEO of The Eden Group in Jackson Hole.
