PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL, April 5, 2007 – Suzy Whaley has been named to the board of directors for the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) Foundation. A golf professional at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., Whaley is a Class A LPGA Teaching and Club Professional and PGA professional who is also one of Golf for Women Magazine’s Top 50 teachers. She is widely known for her 2003 feat of being the first woman in 58 years to qualify and participate in a PGA Tour event.
"We are honored to have Suzy join the EWGA Foundation board of directors. She is such a wonderful ambassador for women’s golf and a long time supporter of our association," says Joan Cavanaugh, president of the EWGA Foundation, the charitable organization of the EWGA.
The EWGA Foundation was founded in 2003 to develop premier golf education and leadership development programs for women of all ages. Through fundraising events such as the annual EWGA at the U.S. Women’s Open and those held locally by EWGA chapters, the Foundation has raised over $300,000 for LPGA-USGA Girls Golf; supported the development of the EWGA golf education curriculum and now is working to fund a "Women on Par" Scholarship Program.
Also serving on the EWGA Foundation board is LPGA Legends Tour and Hall of Fame member Patty Sheehan, Northern Nevada Chapter; Janet McKinley the former chief corporate auditor for BellSouth, Atlanta, GA Chapter; and EWGA association board members including Foundation President Joan Cavanaugh, president of Golf for the Professional Woman, Polk County, FL Chapter; Foundation Vice President Sandy Cross, marketing services director, PGA of America, Palm Beach County, FL Chapter; and Secretary/Treasurer Margaret Downey, director of training development & culture, CSX Transportation, Jacksonville, FL Chapter.
Other Foundation board members include EWGA President Penny Hulbert, president Links Financial LLC from the Tampa Bay, FL Chapter; EWGA President- Elect Karen Furtado, vice president, CGI, Southern New Hampshire Chapter; Barbara Douglas, a member of the USGA Women’s Committee from Phoenix-Valley of Sun, AZ Chapter; and Dori Smith, former owner of WordSmiths Communication, Palm Springs/Desert Cities, CA Chapter.
Whaley is a national spokesperson for this year’s American Express Women’s Golf Week and has been an on-course commentator at LPGA events for ESPN. Her teaching awards include top teacher honors in Connecticut by Golf Digest Magazine, Golf for Women Magazine Top 50 teacher, nomination for Golf Magazine’s Top 100 teacher list and Teacher of the Year honors in the Conn. PGA Section. She and her husband Bill, regional director of operations for the PGA Tour and general manager and the director of golf at the TPC at River Highlands have two daughters and live in Farmington, Conn.
"The EWGA is such a vibrant organization. I’m pleased to lend my voice and support by serving on the EWGA Foundation board," says Whaley. "It is all about helping more women benefit through the game of golf."
The fifth annual EWGA at the U.S. Women’s Open begins on June 28 and is open to all interested in participating. Proceeds will benefit LPGA-USGA Girls Golf. This year’s event includes a Thursday night dinner and silent auction at the National Golf Club in the Village of Pinehurst, a Friday morning golf tournament and a season’s pass to the U. S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles, Southern Pines, N.C. See www.ewga.com (Events) or call Nancy Matus 561-691-0096 ext 14 for more information.
Since the EWGA started in 1991, more than 80,000 women have benefited from membership in the organization which is dedicated to providing opportunities to learn, play and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life. The 120 chapters throughout the United States and Canada offer a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for both new and experienced golfers.
A PGA of America survey shows that each EWGA chapter annually generates over $512,000 in golf related spending within its community. Through the EWGA Foundation and fundraisers by the local chapters, the association annually raises over $500,000 for numerous charitable causes.
The EWGA is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information about the association, membership, and the EWGA Foundation visit www.ewga.com.
Contact:
Angie Niehoff
Niehoff Marketing Associates
561-868-0297
niehoff@bellsouth.net
