LPGA, LET join hands to broaden scope, reach of women’s golf

By Rahul Banerji

Women’s golf worldwide received a shot in the arm with the announcement on Tuesday that the LPGA and the LET would come together to create a bigger and broader platform for the game in Europe and elsewhere.

The step, which has obviously been in the pipeline for a while, was made public following the Ladies European Tour’s annual membership meeting on Tuesday ahead of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España in Spain.

Details will emerge in due course but there were plenty of hints in a statement put out on the occasion that suggested a broader tournament schedule and bigger prize-money pools.

With a growing number joining Aditi Ashok (LGPA) and Diksha Dagar (LET), Indian women golfers too can hope to make the most of the improved prospects the new partnership will bring.

The venture will be jointly managed by the LPGA and the LET and, through their combined resources, will seek to fast track an expanded LET schedule.

“This year’s LET schedule currently includes 20 official events in 13 different countries, with eight of those events in Europe, including two major championships, The Evian Championship and the AIG Women’s British Open,” a statement said.

“The partnership aims to immediately increase playing opportunities for women in Europe, and to have that schedule growth lead to both increased financial opportunities and an optional pathway to the LPGA for the tour’s top performers,” it added.

Upbeat response

Among the first to react to the development was Women’s Golf Association of India secetary-general Champika Sayal, who tweeted early on Wednesday, “Big announcement between LET and LPGA making golf careers stronger for women- way to go! Congratulations to a better golf world.”

Former world number 2 and recent Solheim Cup heroine, Suzann Pattersen of Norway, added: “Congrats to the world of women’s golf. LPGA and LET join forces to further strengthen European women’s golf.”

Chipping in was Ladies Professional Golf Association commissioner, Mike Whan, who shook hands on the deal in Spain: “@LPGA is proud to call @LETgolf our partner in growing women’s golf. Hope others will join us to make a real difference in Europe. Golf is borderless (opportunities should be too).”

Following is the statement posted on the LPGA and LET websites on Wednesday:

“The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the Ladies European Tour (LET) today announced that they will unite in a joint venture partnership to push women’s professional golf to new heights in Europe and around the world.

“The combination of the LET’s European expertise and relationships in the region, with the LPGA’s global strength and worldwide exposure, and their shared vision for the future of women’s professional golf and growth of the game, provides the core ingredients to ignite a tour loaded with upside potential.

“LET players voted their support for the joint venture partnership on Tuesday during the LET’s Annual Membership Meeting in Spain.

“Two teams, joining for one common purpose, will create opportunities we simply could not have pursued on our own,” said LET Board Chair Marta Figueras-Dotti.

Creating opportunities

“At its foundation, this joint venture is about creating opportunities for our members to pursue their passion, and their careers as professional athletes.

“In just the 60 days since we began working on this joint venture, we have already seen a dramatic impact on our LET Tour schedule – an impact that will be a positive result for virtually all of our LET Members.”

“The LPGA and LET share a common vision to strengthen the presence of women’s golf in Europe. A thriving Europe-based women’s professional tour is critical to help women from the continent pursue their dreams through the game of golf, and for the overall health and growth of the game globally.

“Perhaps most importantly, a strong women’s tour in Europe will expose millions of young girls to the great athletes, leaders and role models of the LET, helping to inspire the next generation of European players.

“This is an exciting next step for the LPGA’s mission to provide more opportunities for women in this game,” added Whan.

Tremendous success

“Over the past 10 years, the LPGA has had tremendous success partnering with other golf stakeholders, including the USGA, PGA Tour, European Tour, R&A and PGA of America, to enhance opportunities for women worldwide.

“We are thrilled to deepen our relationship with the Ladies European Tour in an effort to create the strongest possible women’s tour in Europe.

 “We have experienced incredible growth in women’s golf in the US, and this is an extraordinary opportunity to accelerate and expand the game in Europe as well. I’m excited that this is something we will build together, with the LET.”

Winners all in Bangalore

Also read: APGS 2019 talks women’s empowerment, lessons from the game