Golf’s Best Professional Players Will Visit Northern NJ For 2nd Straight Year to Compete in Prestigious Spring Event that Honors LPGA’s 13 Founding Members
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) officially kicked off ticket sales for the 2022 Cognizant Founders Cup on March 3rd at Upper Montclair CC in Clifton, NJ. The world’s best professional golfers come to Northern NJ from May 9-15. L to R: Scott Wood, Tournament Director, LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup; Dan Hines, President, Upper Montclair CC; Tracy Hupko, Manager, Tournament Sales & Marketing, LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup; and Gaurav Chand, Chief Marketing Officer, Cognizant
CLIFTON, N.J., – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) today officially kicked-off ticket sales for the 2022 Cognizant Founders Cup, which takes place at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, NJ, May 9-15. Golf fans can now visit www.thefounderslpga.com to purchase individual and week-long ticket packages along with an assortment of hospitality options.
“The Cognizant Founders Cup is thrilled to return to Northern New Jersey for a second straight year and play on one of the state’s premier golf courses, as we celebrate the LPGA’s heritage in an event that will showcase the best professional golfers in the world,” said Tracy Hupko, Manager, Tournament Sales & Marketing, Cognizant Founders Cup. “For golf fans interested in attending the event, we have several package options available for purchase, ranging from general admission to on-course hospitality. We’re also pleased to announce that general parking is included in all ticket purchases in 2022.”
NJ-based Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH), one of the world’s leading professional services companies, will continue to serve as Title Sponsor for the 2022 Cognizant Founders Cup. This marks the second consecutive year that golf’s best professional women players will visit Northern NJ to compete in the prestigious event that pays tribute to the 13 founding members of the LPGA, including surviving founders Marlene Bauer Hagge and Shirley Spork. The Cognizant Founders Cup offers a $3 million purse, which is the largest of any LPGA Tour event outside of the majors and the CME Group Tour Championship. The 144-player field is expected to be filled with the Tour’s most talented and accomplished players of today along with 2 special exemptions to be named at a later date.
“As we head into year two of the partnership, we’re looking forward to furthering diversity and inclusion efforts in the sport of golf, just as we continue our work to advance diversity and inclusion in the tech industry,” said Gaurav Chand, Chief Marketing Officer, Cognizant. “We’re privileged to be able to use our platform to level the playing field for girls and women who play this great game and assist the LPGA Tour in building a stronger, more diverse platform for the next generation of golfers.”
General admission tickets, providing access to the tournament grounds any day Wednesday through Sunday are $40, with a weekly 5-day pass available for $125. Veterans, first responders, active military and Juniors 17 and under receive free general admission. Hospitality packages begin at $150 per day, which includes access to the Drive On Pavilion on the 9th Green, a parking pass, continental breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, water, coffee, soft drinks, beer and wine. Additional hospitality packages are available for individuals and corporations seeking a more intimate experience.
To complement ticket packages, golf fans, local residents and supporters of women’s golf are welcomed to visit the Brand Ambassador Center and register to serve as Brand Ambassadors throughout tournament week. These Brand Ambassadors will assist with all aspects of tournament operations, in both on-course and behind the scenes capacities for the week-long event. Golf fans who purchase an LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup Brand Ambassador Package will receive an up-close-and-personal experience with a world-class professional golf tournament operation. As an integral part of the LPGA team, Brand Ambassadors serve as the conduit between the players, spectators, event operations and media covering the tournament, delivering relevant information while providing important services and brand representatives.
Upper Montclair Country Club is one of only a few country clubs worldwide known to have hosted tournaments for all three professional golf tours, including the LPGA in 1979 & 1980, 1983 & 1984, and 2007-2009. Long considered one of NJ’s premier golf clubs, this legendary A.W. Tillinghast golf course design underwent a major renovation in the 1950s, directed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., transforming Upper Montclair Country Club into its present 27-hole Championship layout. The acclaimed venue, which has hosted hundreds of the world’s best players over many decades, will challenge defending Champion Jin Young Ko; major champion and World No. 2 Nelly Korda; and the elite field of LPGA TOUR golfers.
“The membership of Upper Montclair Country Club is truly excited to welcome the LPGA back and host the Cognizant Founders Cup,” said Charlie Dimpfl, CCM, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Upper Montclair Country Club. “There is no greater supporter of women’s golf and the professional game than UMCC, and we expect today’s world-class women professionals will find our golf course as challenging, yet as fair as their predecessors.”
Follow the Cognizant Founders Cup www.thefounderslpga.com or via social on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About the LPGA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 Members representing more than 30 countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while the Epson Tour, the official development and qualifying tour of the LPGA, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. Additionally, LPGA Professionals directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The LPGA demonstrates its dedication to the development of the game through The LPGA Foundation. Since 1991, this charitable organization has been committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental, humanitarian and golf community initiatives, including LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the LPGA Women’s Network and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association.
Follow the LPGA on its U.S. television home, Golf Channel, online at www.LPGA.com and on its mobile apps. Join the social conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) engineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Cognizant works to advance diversity and inclusion in its business and beyond, including its partnership with the LPGA Tour, which aims to make sports more inclusive at all levels across the globe. Together, we’re improving everyday life. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.
About Upper Montclair Country Club
Founded in 1901, Upper Montclair Country Club (UMCC) is one of only a select few golf clubs world-wide to have hosted tournaments for all three Professional Golf Associations. Starting with the Thunderbird Classic in 1962, UMCC was the host of many professional tours including the NFL Golf Classic for 10 years. Hall of Famers Gene Littler, Arnold Palmer, Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley, Lee Trevino and Ray Floyd have all won titles at UMCC. The 27-hole Championship course, designed by two of golf’s most prominent architects, A.W. Tillinghast and Robert Trent Jones, Sr., offers a truly challenging golf experience for those at all skill levels.
Media Contact
Jared Minski, Mastro Communications, Inc. (jared@mastrocomm.com or 732-546-4325
Megan McGuire, Sr. Tour Media Official, LPGA (Megan.mcguire@lpga.com or 386-405-1338
