The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Cognizant Founders Cup returns to New Jersey for the second year in a row. The tournament kicks off May 9 and will take place through the 15 at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey. The Cognizant Founders Cup offers a $3 million purse, which is the largest of any LPGA Tour event outside of the majors and the CME Group Tour Championship.
“The LPGA is thrilled to be at Upper Montclair Country Club and make this historic venue the home of the Cognizant Founders Cup,” said Scott Wood, Sr. Director, Cognizant Founders Cup. “After an amazing first year in Northern NJ, where women’s golf was passionately embraced by fans and sponsors alike, we are excited to begin a new tradition and create memorable moments at UMCC.”
Upper Montclair is considered one of NJ’s premier golf clubs, having hosted all three professional golf tours throughout the years. This year is expected to be exciting with the quality of the course and players out there for year eleven of the cup.
Charlie Dimpfl, CCM, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Upper Montclair Country Club said, “The membership of Upper Montclair Country Club is truly excited to welcome the LPGA back, serving as host of the Cognizant Founders Cup,” and went on to say, “There is no greater supporter of women’s golf and the professional game than UMCC, and we expect today’s world-class women professionals will find our golf course as challenging, yet as fair as their predecessors.”
Cognizant Founder Cup trophy
The tournament will also be played in remembrance of Shirley Spork, one of the 13 founders who is the reason the cup began. Spork was twice a trailblazer in golf, with an incredible 70 year career. In 1950, she was one of 13 Founders of the LPGA. A decade later, Spork helped to create the LPGA Teaching & Club Pro Division which has since grown to new heights.
On the Partnership with Cognizant
This is the second year that Cognizant has paired with the LPGA, bringing the Founders Cup to North Jersey. Cognizant works to advance diversity and inclusion in its business and beyond, including its partnership with the LPGA Tour, which aims to make sports more inclusive at all levels across the globe. They have a motto of working together to improve everyday life.
“We’re committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, both in and out of the workplace,” said Gaurav Chand, Chief Marketing Officer, Cognizant. “We invested in the Cognizant Founders Cup as part of that commitment, with the goal of helping to build a better future for the next generation of female golfers. We’re pleased to continue that effort and look forward supporting the talented athletes of the LPGA in 2022 and beyond through our sponsorship.”
Over the course of the next week Cognizant is focused on driving the connection between young girls and the world of golf. Throughout the tournament they will be teaching young girls how to code on what looks like golf balls with the goal to teach them back spin, angles, and more about the physics of the game of golf.
What To Know
The 144-player field is expected to be filled with the Tour’s most talented and accomplished players of today. They will take on the 27-hole course starting on May 11.
Some exciting names in the mix are golfer Jin Young Ko hoping to defend her title for a third consecutive time, 16-year old star Anna Davis will also be there to make waves in her first LPGA tournament at the Palos Verdes Championship, and Stacy Lewis who won the cup in 2013 will also appear.
Anna Davis, Scott Wood, and Shameka Young posed with the Cognizant Founders Cup trophy (Photo Courtesy of @LPGAfounders Twitter)
Davis talked about the last few weeks saying, “It's been kind of crazy. A lot of a lot of media stuff, a lot of exemptions. A lot of people reaching out so it's been a lot of fun for sure. But I'm so thankful for the opportunities that I've gotten because of the tournament.” She is focused on the week ahead to play her best at her second LPGA tournament.
Stacy Lewis went on to talk about how important the partnership between the LPGA and USGA is saying, “And, you know… creating strong women, that have an opinion and that can walk around their shoulders held high… I think it's sometimes it's not just about the golf, it's about really young women that are future leaders of our country.”
Another notable name include Marina Alex, a Wayne, New Jersey native, who almost retired when tournaments began again post covid but has since won at the recent Palos Verdes tournament, her second win on the tour.
How To Follow
Tickets for the tournament are available at www.thefounderslpga.com, including general admission tickets, providing access to the tournament grounds any day Wednesday through Sunday are $40, and weekly 5-day pass available for $125. Veterans, first responders, active military and Juniors 17 and under receive free general admission. Additional packages like the Hospitality package are also available online.
Keep up-to-date with all of the latest on the LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
