MT. PLEASANT, S.C., May 30, 2007 – Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Commissioner Carolyn Bivens, on behalf of The LPGA Foundation, today announced the receipt of a $1 million gift from Dolores Hope, wife of the late entertainer Bob Hope. It is the largest single gift bestowed to The LPGA Foundation since its creation in 1991.
Mrs. Hope, an honorary LPGA member, has directed the gift to The LPGA Foundation Financial Assistance Fund, which assists the members of the LPGA and others within the golf industry who need financial assistance because of serious illness, injury, loss of income or other significant hardship. In recognition of the donation, The LPGA Foundation will rename the fund the Dolores Hope LPGA Financial Assistance Initiative, leaving a lasting legacy for Hope and her immense support of the LPGA.
"We are so grateful to Dolores for this very generous gift to The LPGA Foundation," said LPGA Commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens. "Dolores has been a devoted friend and supporter of the LPGA since our 13 founders established the LPGA in 1950. She has been a champion for women’s golf and her recent gift for the Dolores Hope LPGA Financial Assistance Initiative will insure that those who paved the way for today’s members are not forgotten, and that those in need will have opportunities for support in the future."
Dolores Hope enjoyed an amateur golf career that brought her to the tee with some of the LPGA’s best players in the early days of the LPGA; she competed as an amateur in a number of the LPGA’s events in the early 1950s. Mrs. Hope, along with her husband, remained steadfast supporters of the LPGA and its players throughout the years.
"One of Bob’s and my great joys has been the ability to share our blessings with others," said Mrs. Hope. "I’m happy to be able to give this gift in memory of Bob and all our wonderful friends of the LPGA."
Since 1991, The LPGA Foundation has dispersed more than $600,000 in assistance and also reached out beyond the golf industry to support relief efforts following the tragic events of 9/11, the 2004 Tsunami as well as Hurricane Katrina. A committee oversees the confidential distribution of assistance and includes LPGA members and an executive team within the LPGA.
"Dolores Hope’s wonderful gift will help us to provide assistance to many individuals, especially the LPGA pioneers and legends who may be in need in the months and years to come," said Patricia D. Browning, executive director of The LPGA Foundation. "We are very thankful for her generosity and know that her gift will inspire others to support this extremely important endeavor."
About The LPGA Foundation
Created in 1991 to complement the charitable activities of the LPGA and its tournaments, the LPGA established The LPGA Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The LPGA Foundation 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. Since its inception, The LPGA Foundation has created and supported a number of programs to achieve those objectives through tax-deductible donations from individuals and businesses.
Contact:
Connie Wilson, LPGA, 386.274.6200, connie.wilson@lpga.com