About the LPGA

THE LPGA	The Ladies Professional Golf Association is one of the longest-running women's professional sports associations in the world. Founded in 1950, the organization has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA Tour and the LPGA Teaching & Club Professionals (T&CP) comprise the backbone of what has become the premier women's professional sports organization in the world today. The LPGA maintains a strong focus on charity through: its tournaments; its grassroots junior and women's programs; its affiliation with Susan G. Komen For The Cure; and the formation of The LPGA Foundation. The LPGA is under the guidance of Commissioner Michael Whan and is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla.

COMMISSIONER MICHAEL WHAN	Michael Whan is the eighth commissioner of the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association), one of the longest-running and most successful women's sports organizations in the world. Whan assumed the leadership role at the LPGA on Jan. 4, 2010 with an eye toward enhancing business relationships, increasing exposure for the players and maximizing the LPGA experience for fans. Whan, 46 (DOB: Feb. 10, 1965), started his business career at the Procter & Gamble Company in 1987, rising within the ranks as a Brand Assistant, Brand Manager and eventually Director of Marketing, Oral Care, before pursuing his passion for sports. In 1994-95, he served as a Vice President and General Manager at the Wilson Sporting Goods Company responsible for all aspects of the golf ball and glove business. He also managed the marketing department, two manufacturing facilities and the Research & Development division. More >>

HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION	The LPGA has had a long and distinguished history. Click here to take a look back at the LPGA thru the decades. >>

LPGA TOUR MEMBERSHIP	Today's LPGA Tour features the most talented global group of professional athletes who, in 2012, will compete in 27 official money events in 11 countries. Of the more than 460 LPGA Tour members, approximately 230 are active competitors throughout the season. Of the approximately 230, 128 are international members representing 27 different countries. Click here for the latest Tour schedule. >>

THE T&CP MEMBERSHIP	Founded in 1959, the LPGA T&CP boasts the largest membership of women golf professionals in the world. With more than 1,400 members, the LPGA T&CP are dedicated to the advancement of golf through teaching, coaching and managing golf facilities. Its national member programs include teaching, coaching, business management and leadership skills training programs and conferences. LPGA T&CP members also teach and support the LPGA's various grassroots programs that are working to increase the involvement of women and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall including LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, the Ronald McDonald House Charities LPGA Tour Junior Clinics and the LPGA Golf Clinics for Women from MetLife. Learn more about the LPGA T&CP Membership. >>

THE LPGA FOUNDATION	The LPGA Foundation was established in 1991. Junior golf programs, scholarships and other financial assistance are among the major programs supported through The LPGA Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The LPGA Founation has four main goals: to develop and maintain junior golf programs across the country; to develop and maintain scholarship programs for junior golfers; to maintain a financial assistance fund for those in the golf industry; and to conduct research and develop educational activities related to golf instruction. The LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, one of the Foundation's programs, has established The LPGA Foundation as a leader in the golf industry in youth initiatives. More >>

SYMETRA TOUR	Founded in 1981, the Symetra Tour is called "The Road to the LPGA" and is the official developmental tour of the LPGA. The Symetra Tour was acquired by the LPGA in 2007 and is now based in the LPGA's headquarters in Daytona Beach, Fla. The tour operated as the Duramed FUTURES Tour from 2006 to 2010, when Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., became the title sponsor and then as the LPGA Futures Tour in 2001. The 2012 Symetra Tour schedule runs from March through September and has more than 300 players competing from around the world. The top-10 players from the LPGA Futures Tour money list earn LPGA membership for the following year. For more information, visit their official Web site. >>

EMPLOYMENT	Looking for employment opportunities with the LPGA? Click here >>

LPGA GOLF CLINICS FOR WOMEN FROM METLIFE	LPGA Golf Clinics for Women from MetLife is a program designed specifically to introduce more business women to the game. The clinics offer a one-day curriculum that includes golf instruction on the practice range and putting green; playing a round of golf; and a business luncheon with guest speakers. Find out when there will be a clinic in your area. >>

INTERNSHIPS	Looking for internship opportunities with the LPGA? Click here >>

JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAMS	The LPGA has been a leader in developing junior golf programs that introduce kids from all walks of life into this great game. LPGA-USGA Girls Golf is a developmental junior golf program that encourages girls ages 7-17 to learn to play golf, build friendships and sample competition in a supportive environment. Learn more >> The LPGA Tour Junior Golf Clinics are offered at several tournament sites throughout the year. These clinics provide junior golfers with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game in a fun and exciting atmosphere. Each clinic follows a "hands-on" two-hour format and has an average of 150 children in attendance. In 1997 the LPGA lent its support, along with other major golf organizations, to the creation of The First Tee program. Under the auspices of the World Golf Foundation, its purpose to create facilities and programs that make golf more affordable and accessible, with a strong emphasis on introducing children of all races and economic backgrounds to golf. For more information on The First Tee program, visit their official Web site. >>

LPGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS	The responsibility for oversight and guidance of the management of the LPGA lies with the LPGA Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is composed of six independent directors; the LPGA Player Directors (Player Executive Committee); Dana Rader, the national president of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP); and Mike Whan, Commissioner of the LPGA. The 2013 LPGA Player Directors are: Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, President; Karrie Webb, Vice President; Laura Diaz, Allison Fouch Duncan, Paige Mackenzie, Karin Sjodin and Karen Stupples. The LPGA independent board members are: Roberta B. Bowman, Senior Advisor and Former Chief Sustainability Officer, Duke Energ; Karen Jennings, Former Sr. Executive V.P., AT&T; Peter Carfagna, Chairman/CEO Magis, LLC and former chief legal officer IMG; Leslie Greis, founder, CEO and managing member of Perennial Capital Advisors, LLC. Greis is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the LPGA; and Bill Susetka, former CMO of the LPGA as well as former president, Clairol U.S. Retail and Clairol International; Mike Trager, Chairman The Trager Group and former chairman of Clear Channel Entertainment Television.

LPGA INTERNATIONAL	LPGA International is a premier residential community in Daytona Beach, Fla., that serves as the home of the LPGA. LPGA International features two 18-hole golf courses (the Champions and the Legends), the LPGA Golf Academy and the LPGA's Headquarters office building. The Champions, a Rees Jones-designed course that opened in July 1994, marked the first time in history that a golf course was designed specifically for professional women golfers. The Legends, designed by Arthur Hills, opened in October 1998. LPGA International features a state-of-the-art teaching academy, which includes three championship practice holes, five putting greens and chipping greens, practice bunkers and a 360-yard double-ended driving range. For information on lessons and tee times, visit their official Web site. >>

LPGA TOUR QUALIFYING	Each year, the LPGA Tour holds two sectional qualifiers and one Final Qualifying Tournament. The top qualifiers move on to compete in the 90-hole Final Qualifying Tournament at LPGA International in December. The number of spots available at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, vary from year to year and are announced prior to each competition. For more information on how to qualify for the LPGA Tour, or to receive an application for this year's qualifying competitions, contact the LPGA Operations department at 386.274.6200. Find more information on LPGA Qualifying. >>

LPGA TOURNAMENT OWNERS ASSOCIATION	The Tournament Owners Association (TOA) was formally established in 1990. The association is an incorporated non-profit trade association, 501(c)6, comprised of owned and operated LPGA Tour events. The TOA is governed by an elected Board of Directors, which meets every two months and communicates regularly with the LPGA Player Directors, LPGA commissioner and the LPGA staff. The TOA President is former LPGA Player Executive Committee President and veteran LPGA Tour member, Gail Graham. The director of business development is Sharon Hopkins. For more information, visit the TOA web site. >>

SCHOLARSHIPS	The LPGA Foundation currently administers several scholarship programs for young women, as well as one for both young men and women. The Foundation's structure allows for the establishment of endowed scholarships in honor or memory of individuals who made a significant difference in the world of golf. Three of the existing scholarships are the Dinah Shore Scholarship, the Marilynn Smith Scholarship and the Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship. Click here to get more information and applications. >>

SOCIAL NETWORKING

SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE	In April 1992, the LPGA named the Susan G. Komen For The Cure as its official national charity. Members of the LPGA family have embraced the Komen For The Cure and its mission. For example, several LPGA Tour events and the LPGA Golf Clinics for Women have named the Komen For The Cure as their charity. Additionally, several LPGA sponsors and tournaments, as well as Titleist And FootJoy Worldwide and the Val Skinner Foundation have incorporated the Komen For The Cure and the fight against breast cancer into their LPGA and sports marketing programs, helping to both educate consumers about the importance of early detection and to raise funds for research and community programs. For more information on breast cancer, visit komen.org >>

WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION	The mission of the World Golf Foundation is to develop and support initiatives that positively impact lives through the game of golf and its traditional values. In support of that mission, World Golf Foundation focuses on a variety of initiatives to grow and celebrate the game of golf around the world. Through The First Tee, the World Golf Foundation focuses on positively impacting the lives of young people. Under the banner of the World Golf Hall of Fame, it recognizes and celebrates golf's greatest players and contributors and serves as an inspiration to golfers and fans worldwide. The World Golf Foundation's GOLF 20/20 initiative pursues programs to ensure golf's continued growth and vitality. All World Golf Foundation initiatives work together to support the growth of the game among youth, women and minorities, while also fostering diversity within the golf industry.

WORLD GOLF VILLAGE	Located in St. Augustine, Fla., the World Golf Village is one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in golf. At the center of the World Golf Village is the 75,000 square-foot World Golf Hall of Fame. The World Golf Hall of Fame includes interactive exhibits, one of the world's largest collections of memorabilia and an IMAX Theater. In addition, the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame - which has its own set of criteria for entrance - is now housed as part of the World Golf Hall of Fame. For more information on the World Golf Village, visit their official Web site. >>