The LPGA Foundation is honoring the life and legacy of Dana’s commitment to the sport of golf by establishing the Dana Rader Leadership Fund. This fund will provide grants to LPGA members who demonstrate leadership potential and financial needs.

Dana was a long-time, passionate leader in the LPGA's industry-leading National Education Program, and spoke often of the importance of ongoing learning for golf instructors. This fund, established in her name, assists those who seek to expand their professional education while honoring one of the organization's most revered past leaders.

Awarding the Dana Rader Leadership Fund

This grant is intended to assist with the costs associated with attending the LPGA Professionals Education Conference.

Examples of expenses the Dana Rader Leadership Fund may cover include:

LPGA Professionals Conference registration fee
LPGA Professionals Conference travel stipend (up to $1,000)

The amount awarded is determined at the sole discretion of the LPGA Foundation based on the information provided in the application. Prospective recipients should only apply if they meet the eligibility criteria. Grants must be used within the year they are awarded.

Eligibility Criteria

Grant Applicants must be a LPGA Professional member in good standing.

Grant applicants must demonstrate financial need
Grant applicants must submit a completed application with reasons why they are requesting assistance
Those selected will be featured as a grant recipient in promotional materials (emails and social posts within the membership)

Grant Selection

Eligible recipient applications will be reviewed by LPGA Professionals President and Vice President and LPGA Headquarters Staff.

Application Timeline

Applications for the Dana Rader Leadership Fund open annually in advance of the LPGA Professionals Education Conference.

About Dana Rader
After gaining her Golf Professional status in 1980, Rader started as an Assistant Professional at Myers Park Country Club. In 1987, when she opened the Dana Rader Golf School, one of the most renowned in the golf world, she instructed over 17,000 students of all ages and skill levels, including over 500 juniors—a passion for Rader. It was named a Golf Channel Academy and was the only one with such a prestigious designation in the Carolinas.

In 2016, she was inducted into the LPGA Teaching and Coaching Professionals Hall of Fame. In addition, she earned other awards, including the Nike Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award (2014), Ellen Griffin Rolex Award (2015), and achieved Emeritus Status in Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in America (2019). Golf Digest also recognized Rader as one of the Top 50 Teachers in America and was ranked as No. 1 in South Carolina in Golf Digest's "Best in the State." She earned the prestigious Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award in 2020, which recognizes the LPGA Professional who emulates qualities valued by Lopez: Leadership, Passion, Giving, and Approachability.

Building a business is gratifying; awards and honors are flattering. But touching a life in a real and lasting way is invaluable. That was Dana Rader’s gift. She really was one in a million.

Dana Radar Leadership Fund