Women’s Golf Sees Increase in Prize Money
Reminder Kathy Whitworth ‘88’ is coming this summer
Professional female golfers are receiving more attention --- and more money.
This week marks the first major LPGA tournament of the season, the Chevron Championship, to be played in The Woodlands, Texas. And the total purse for this year’s Chevron has increased to $7.9 million, up from $5.2 million last year. In fact, the combined prize money for the LPGA season has grown 80% in the past five years, as has TV viewership.
“As someone who has been close to women’s golf my entire life, it is so refreshing to see the growth of women in the sport,” says Cathy Harbin, president of the Kathy Whitworth Foundation. “It’s even more wonderful to see the increase in purses such as this because it shows that women’s golf is becoming more and more relevant every day.”
Ms. Harbin is also the director of the Kathy Whitworth ‘88’ Golf Championship to be held this summer in North Texas. It’s anticipated approximately 100 young players aspiring to become LPGA golfers will play in the tournament.
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. This tournament 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/
“Kathy loved the WAPT and the opportunity it provided young women to follow their dreams,” Ms. Harbin says.
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.
For your calendar:
Who: Approximately 100 aspiring LPGA golfers
What: Kathy Whitworth ‘88’ Championship
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
