LPGA Helping Women’s Sports Continue to Advance & Grow

April 26, 2023

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LGPA) announced that defending champion Minjee Lee will be headlining the 2023 LGPA Cognizant Founders Cup. The event will be taking place on May 10 through the 14th at the established Upper Montclair Country Club, in Clifton, New Jersey.

This tournament will fall on Mother’s Day weekend and is intended to engage, empower and support women in the sports industry alongside the 13 founding members of the LGPA. That said, six moms will be competing during the tournament as well. Going forward, this is not the only event dedicated to women’s empowerment. In fact, there are four professional golf events scheduled in the Garden State throughout the summer.

“The LPGA is excited to once again host our prestigious Cognizant Founders Cup at iconic Upper Montclair Country Club in northern New Jersey, where women’s golf is so passionately embraced by fans and sponsors alike,” Scott Wood said Sr. Director, Cognizant Founders Cup. “Now in our third year, this event has found a home in New Jersey and there is no better place to salute the founders of the LPGA and continue the conversation on empowering women.”

What’s the LPGA Founders Cup?

Cognizant, a New Jersey-based company, will be the title sponsor for the 2023 Founders Cup. The event is offering a $3 million purse, one of the largest among any LPGA tours. During the tournament, 144 people will compete with one another. While this group consists of some of the most talented and accomplished players in the world, there are two special exemptions in this tournament. One of them is the NJSGA Women’s Amateur Champion and Player of the Year, Katie Lu. The other will be the winner of a two-day event, the John Shippen Cognizant Cup on May 7th and 8th.

“We are thrilled to help support the talented athletes of the LPGA through our Title Sponsorship of the Cognizant Founders Cup,” Chief Marketing Officer Gaurav Chand said. “Cognizant is committed to creating equal opportunity and diversity both in and out of the workplace and recognizes the important role that women's professional sports can play in creating a better future for the next generation of women and girls.”

Kate Lu Stepping Into Big Shoes Heading into the Tournament

Kate Lu, a New Jersey native, has proven to be amongst the elite in her past outings, however some may not recognize that she’s only a sophomore in college. Understanding her talent perceives her age as she’s only going to continue to grow as a golfer and as a competitor. During Lu’s interview, she mentions her support system has greatly helped her elevate her game and rise to the occasion. Lu’s ceiling seems to be endless, however this tournament will give her an opportunity to compete among the best of the best.

“I think I have a really awesome support system at Michigan State and here at home,” Lu expressed during our interview about how she manages the pressure. “They’re going to prepare me for this tournament and I just think being grateful for the opportunity and understanding this is going to be an awesome experience no matter what happens to soak all it in.”