HAVRE DE GRACE, Md., June 6, 2008 – Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens and Herb Lotman, co-founder of McDonald’s sponsorship of the McDonald’s LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola, today jointly announced an ownership change in one of the LPGA’s longest-running and highest-profile tournaments. Effective with the 2010 championship, the LPGA will own and operate the event, marking the first time in its history the LPGA will own its players’ championship.
“This truly is a momentous day for the LPGA, as it marks the first time in our history that we will own one of our Majors,” said Bivens during a press conference at the 2008 McDonald’s LPGA Championship. “As we have done with the LPGA-owned and operated ADT Championship and The Solheim Cup when in the United States, we are committed to ensuring the LPGA Championship is a best-in-class tournament, worthy of showcasing the best golfers in the world.
“Honoring and celebrating our past – and doing so with an eye toward the future – is what makes our game so special,” continued Bivens. “Working with visionaries and philanthropic stalwarts like Herb (Lotman) has prepared the LPGA to undertake this new challenge of owning the LPGA Championship.”
Lotman and the championship staff have partnered with the LPGA since 1981 when they founded the McDonald’s Kids Classic. It evolved into the McDonald’s Championship and, with the staging of the 1994 event was elevated to major status as the McDonald’s LPGA Championship.
“With all of the pride in my heart and passion for the LPGA, I announce to you that I am turning over the keys, and ownership and management of the LPGA Championship, effective with the 2010 event, to Commissioner Carolyn Bivens and the LPGA,” said Lotman to the media gathered for the press conference.
“The LPGA is strengthening its position with ownership and management of a select group of events, which have generated tremendous excitement, raised the level of play, and most importantly, increased awareness of this wonderful game and the incredible women who play it,” continued Lotman. “The LPGA Championship is a natural fit to add to this portfolio. In our final year of ownership, we look forward to producing another successful championship at Bulle Rock in 2009.”
Bivens announced several major modifications to the championship structure beginning in 2010:
– The LPGA Championship will not have a corporate title. It may have a presenting sponsor, but the event will be known as the LPGA Championship starting with the 2010 championship.
– The purse for the 2010 LPGA Championship will be $3 million.
– The venue for the 2010 LPGA Championship has not been determined yet. The LPGA is reviewing this and will make an announcement when a decision is made.
– Lotman will serve as honorary chairperson of the LPGA Championship and becomes the newest member of the Commissioner’s Advisory Council.
– Ronald McDonald House Charities will remain one of the beneficiaries of the LPGA Championship.
About the LPGA Championship
Established in 1955, the McDonald’s LPGA Championship is the second-longest running tournament in women’s professional golf, surpassed only by the U.S. Women’s Open, which is conducted by the USGA. The 1990 championship marked the first LPGA event to offer a $1 million purse. Many legends of women’s golf have won the LPGA Championship, including LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame members Marlene Hagge (1956); Louise Suggs (1957); Mickey Wright (1958, 1960, 1961, 1963); Betsy Rawls (1959, 1969); Sandra Haynie (1965, 1974); Kathy Whitworth (1967, 1971, 1975); Nancy Lopez (1978, 1985, 1989); Donna Caponi (1979, 1981); Patty Sheehan (1983, 1984, 1993); Pat Bradley (1986); Beth Daniel (1990); Betsy King (1992); Se Ri Pak (1998, 2002, 2006); Juli Inkster (1999, 2000); Karrie Webb (2001); and Annika Sorenstam (2003, 2004, 2005).
About the Ladies Professional Golf Association
As the longest-running women’s professional sports organization in the world, the LPGA features a membership comprised of world-class LPGA Tour professionals and dedicated Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP). Today’s LPGA Tour features the most talented global sampling of professional athletes competing in 36 events on six continents with total prize money of more than $62 million. In addition to its dynamic Tour members, nearly 1,200 certified T&CP members serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions, and oversee programs aimed at increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf. The not-for-profit LPGA’s Vision is to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the best golf professionals in the world. Its Mission is to be a leader in the world of sports, to promote economic empowerment for all members, and to serve as role models on and off the course. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.
Contact:
Connie Wilson, LPGA, 386-274-6271, connie.wilson@lpga.com
Jim Murray, McDonald’s LPGA Championship, 410-939-2429, JimMurrayV@aol.com
