Legendary golfer used the same putter in all 88 of her championship victories and 95 second-place finishes
TROPHY CLUB, Texas — Golf fans will have a rare opportunity to hold—and actually use—a remarkable piece of sports history during the 2026 Kathy Whitworth 88 Gifting Gala on Sunday, September 27, at Trophy Club Golf Club.
Attendees will have the opportunity to make a putt with the same putter Kathy Whitworth used in all 88 of her championship victories, the most professional tournament wins by any golfer—male or female. She also used the putter in all 95 of her second-place finishes.
Participants may commemorate their turn with the historic putter through photographs, video or both.
The putting competition will be one of the highlights of the Kathy Whitworth 88 Gifting Gala, scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. on what would have been Whitworth’s 87th birthday. The relaxed, celebratory afternoon will include cocktails, an upscale cookout, a brief program, and opportunities to honor Whitworth’s life while investing in the next generation of women’s professional golf.
The event will benefit the KW88 Gift Award, which provides financial assistance to promising young women as they work to establish their professional golf careers. The award is a program of the Kathy Whitworth Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about the putter itself: how Whitworth came to use it, why she trusted it and the role it played throughout her extraordinary career.
Bettye Odle, Whitworth’s longtime partner and the person most familiar with the history of Whitworth’s career, is available for media interviews about the putter, the stories behind it and Whitworth’s enduring commitment to helping young women succeed in professional golf.
Whitworth’s 88 LPGA Tour victories remain a record that no other golfer—woman or man—has matched on a single professional tour. Yet her influence extended far beyond the record book. She was known not only for her competitive brilliance, but also for her determination to create opportunities for the women who would follow her.
The KW88 Gift Award continues that work by helping talented young professionals meet the considerable expenses associated with tournament competition, including travel, entry fees, equipment and other costs.
On September 27, the putter that helped make golf history will not be displayed behind glass. It will be placed directly into the hands of those helping carry Whitworth’s legacy forward.
Event Details
Kathy Whitworth 88 Gifting Gala
Sunday, September 27, 2026
4–7 p.m.
Trophy Club Country Club/500 Trophy Club Dr, Trophy Club, TX 76262
4–5 p.m. Cocktails
5–6 p.m. Dinner & Program
6–7 p.m. Kathy Whitworth Putting Challenge
Complimentary beer and wine will be served, with spirits available for purchase at the cash bar.
Contribution: $200 per person
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Media Opportunities
Media interviews may be arranged with Bettye Odle regarding:
- The history and provenance of Kathy Whitworth’s putter
- Whitworth’s use of the putter throughout her career
- Personal stories associated with the putter and Whitworth’s victories
- The Kathy Whitworth 88 Gifting Gala
- The mission and impact of the KW88 Gift Award
Additional historic photographs of Whitworth using the putter, current photographs of the putter and additional event images are available upon request.
About the KW88 Gift Award
The KW88 Gift Award provides financial support to promising young women pursuing careers in professional golf. The program honors Kathy Whitworth’s record 88 LPGA Tour victories while continuing her commitment to encouraging and assisting the next generation of women golfers. The KW88 Gift Award is a project of the Kathy Whitworth Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Whitworth Foundation.
Media Contact:
Barbara Griffith
817-602-5011
Griffith.barbara@att.net
