Phoenix, AZ. – The Marilynn Smith Scholarship Events, presented by Golf It Forward®, tee off April 27-30, 2025, at the Westin Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ. The events, all bearing LPGA co-founder Marilynn Smith’s name, include: the Sunday Tea, Scholarship Pro-Am and Arizona Senior Women’s Open. This year’s tournament honoree is two-time winning Solheim Cup Captain (2015 & 2017), winner of 31 LPGA Tour events, including 7 majors, and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Juli Inkster.
Proceeds benefit the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Fund, which provides annual scholarships to female students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and extraordinary community involvement, and are committed to play collegiate golf. Since its inception in 1999, the Fund has awarded $1,370,000 in scholarships.
All events are being held under the auspices of Golf It Forward(GIF), an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the legacy of the 13 Founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
The Marilynn Smith Sunday Tea kicks off the festivities on Sunday, April 27, from 1:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ. This event is open to the public and requires a pre-purchased ticket. Guests will have an opportunity to meet and hear from the event honoree, LPGA legends and special guests. Tickets are $30 for adults and free to those 17 years of age and under. Purchased and free tickets must be secured through the event ticket site.
The Westin Kierland Golf Club, a Troon managed facility, will host the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Pro-Am on April 28, with proceeds benefiting Smith’s Scholarship Fund. Each team consists of an LPGA pro and four amateur partners.
The fourth annual Marilynn Smith Arizona Senior Women’s Open will be played on Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30, at The Westin Kierland Golf Club, with a $100,000 purse. The 96-player field will feature two member teams of well-known LPGA players who must be 45 years of age by April 27, 2025. The very first senior event for LPGA Tour players was hosted by Smith in 1988. This championship, in the state she called home for 15 years, is a tribute to Smith and her golf legacy.
For more information on obtaining tickets for the Sunday Tea, playing in the Pro-Am, or participating in the Senior event, visit www.golfitforward.org.
To learn more about sponsorship or playing opportunities, send an email to 13Founders@golfitforward.org.
ABOUT GOLF IT FORWARD®
(GIF) GOLF IT FORWARD is the public face of the Marilynn Smith and Founders’ Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation embodies the ingenuity, drive and passion of 13 women who had the foresight to see that there was a future for women in golf and golf in the future of women. For more information on GIF, please go to www.GolfItForward.org.
PRESS CONTACT Debbie Waitkus – Foundation President
