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.
