Julie Houston and Virunpat ‘Ou’ Olankitkunchai are honored at ceremony in Arizona
Julie Houston and Virunpat “Ou” Olankitkunchai, this year’s winners of the Kathy Whitworth ‘88’ Gift Award, were presented with checks during a special ceremony at this year’s Casino Del Sol Golf Classic in Tucson. The cash prizes will help both Julie and Ou in their quest to join the LPGA. These two exceptional talents were selected from current and past players on the ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour and each received a cash prize of $4,400.
Both young professionals have played previously in the Kathy Whitworth Championship Tournament. This year’s competition renamed the Kathy Whitworth ’88,’ is scheduled for July 17-20 at the Trophy Club Country Club, Trophy Club, Texas.
The inspiration behind the Kathy Whitworth ‘88’ Gift Award stems from Kathy’s early challenges in her own professional golf career. After a year on the LPGA tour, she found herself questioning her path amidst financial difficulties. Her family called her home to Jal, New Mexico, to discuss her options, where they, along with local business leaders and friends, urged her to persevere. Not only did they provide emotional support, but they also pledged financial assistance for the next three years, enabling Kathy to focus wholeheartedly on achieving success on the LPGA circuit. The rest is history, as Kathy Whitworth became the winningest golfer ever —male or female – with 88 professional career wins.
The KW ‘88’ Gift Award serves as a tribute to Kathy Whitworth’s legacy and her desire to empower young female golfers striving to reach the highest levels of the sport. This year 26 applicants were narrowed to five finalists before the winners were chosen. To be eligible, the candidates must have played in a Kathy Whitworth championship tournament and have been a part of the WAPT tour.
The ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT), the official partner of the LPGA’s Epson Tour, will host the Kathy Whitworth ‘88’ event in Trophy Club, Texas, from July 17-20, 2024. The tournament, in its sixth year, honors Kathy Whitworth’s unparalleled achievement of 88 professional wins, the most in golf history. The event is hosted by the WAPT, now known as the ANNIKA WAPT, in collaboration with golf legend Annika Sorenstam and the ANNIKA Foundation. Learn more by visiting https://kathy-whitworth-88.perfectgolfevent.com/
Approximately 100 aspiring LPGA golfers will play in the tournament. They aim to follow in Kathy Whitworth’s footsteps by participating in a high-caliber competitive environment. Although this year marks the sixth edition of the tournament, it’s the first time for its new name– the Kathy Whitworth ’88’. Whitworth, who considered North Texas her home, is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Awarding the money were Kathy Whitworth ‘88’ Tournament Director Cathy Harbin, Kathy Whitworth Foundation Chairman Bettye Odle, and Kathy Whitworth ‘88’ Tournament Co-director Diana Gats.
[Left to right in attached photo are Cathy Harbin, Bettye Odle, Julie Houston, Virunpat “Ou” Olankitkunchai, and Diana Gats.]
“The monetary portion of this award is helpful to the two young ladies,” says Bettye Odle. “However, it is perhaps more meaningful to them to have a lifelong connection to Kathy Whitworth and her legacy.”
Julie Houston launched her professional golf career in 2019, immediately after graduating from the University of Texas at San Antonio. A resident of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Julie has been a WAPT top ten finisher ten times. She has three professional wins and, before that, three collegiate wins.
Virunpat Olankitkunchai or Ou, who turned professional just last year, has set a five-year timeline to achieve her goal of joining the LPGA. With an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and an MSBA from Wake Forest University, she aspires to excel on the LPGA tour and become the best golfer she can be. Last year Ou won two WAPT events –and finished in the top ten at seven other WAPT events.
For your calendar:
Who: Approximately 100 aspiring LPGA golfers
What: Kathy Whitworth ‘88’ Tournament event
When: July 17-20, 2024
Where: Trophy Club Country Club, 500 Trophy Club Dr, Trophy Club, TX 76262
Visuals: Stunning vistas and top professional players. Regularly named among the top country clubs in Dallas-Fort Worth by Avid Golfer, Trophy Club is proud to be the home of two world-class golf courses, each honoring legendary golfers Kathy Whitworth and Ben Hogan.
More information: https://kathy-whitworth-88.perfectgolfevent.com/
Contact Information:
Barbara Griffith, 817-602-5011, griffith.barbara@att.net;
Diana Gats, 330-309-4918, vpt@dianagats.com
