Judy Rankin, Sandra Palmer and Donna Caponi to be honored at 2015 JTBC Founders Cup

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., March 12, 2015 – Each year, the JTBC Founders Cup celebrates “Pioneers” of the LPGA, honoring their trailblazing spirit as well as their exemplary participation in the development and advancement of the LPGA Tour and women’s golf.

This year, Judy Rankin, Sandra Palmer and Donna Caponi will be honored as Pioneers during the week of the event at Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona. Please see below for some of their amazing accomplishments and contributions to the LPGA.

JUDY RANKIN
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Judy Rankin joined the LPGA Tour in 1962 at age 17. Over the course of her career, she amassed 26 tour victories, two Rolex Player of the Year awards, two money titles and three Vare Trophies for low scoring average.

Rankin also captained the victorious American teams in the 1996 and 1998 Solheim Cups. While playing on Tour, Rankin served on the LPGA Board of Directors, and she was the association’s President in 1976 and 1977.

Rankin retired from full-time competition at the age of 38, and she currently is the lead analyst for LPGA Tour telecasts on Golf Channel. She also continues to work select PGA Tour events as an on-course reporter.

SANDRA PALMER
Sandra Palmer joined the LPGA Tour in 1964. She captured 19 LPGA Tour titles, including two major championship during her career.

Her two major championship wins came at the 1972 Titleholders and the 1975 U.S. Women’s Open. She also topped the money list in 1975, and she was awarded the Rolex Player of the Year title in that same year.

Palmer finished within the top-10 on the money list for 10-consecutive years from 1968-1977. She played her last event on the Tour in 1997. Palmer is currently the Director of Golf at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California.

DONNA CAPONI
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Donna Caponi joined the LPGA Tour in 1965. Over the course of her career, she won 24 tournaments, including four major championships.

She is one of 14 players to make the U.S. Women’s Open her first LPGA victory, when she captured that title in 1969. She would repeat as the Women’s Open champion in 1970.

Caponi finished in the top 10 on the money list 10 times between1968 and 1981, including two second-place rankings in 1976 and 1980. She retired from full-time competition in 1988. Caponi also served as the assistant captain for the victorious 2005 U.S. Solheim Cup team.

After retiring from full-time play, Caponi worked as a golf analyst for both CBS Sports and Golf Channel.

Characteristics of LPGA Pioneers
1. One who ventures into unknown or unclaimed territory
2. One who opens up new areas of thought, research, or development:
3. Of, relating to, or characteristic of early settlers: the pioneer spirit.
4. Leading the way; trailblazing:
5. To initiate or participate in the development and advancement of the LPGA

Previous Honorees
2014 - Kathy Whitworth, Renee Powell
2013 - Carol Mann, JoAnne Carner
2012 - Mickey Wright, Betsy Rawls, Barbara Romack, Peggy Kirk Bell

LPGA Announces 2015 Pioneers

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