AS the early signs of spring are starting to arrive here in the UK, both the Ladies’ European Tour and the LPGA Tours are now both underway having played events in Australia and Thailand respectively. 

It takes a while for both to arrive in mainland Europe and America though, with the LET playing the European Nations Cup in Spain in the middle of April, and the LPGA playing a new event with a completely new concept – the Founders Cup to be played in the middle of March.

This event is unique within professional golf in that the 132 competing professionals won’t be playing for any actual prize money. 

The concept came from LPGA commissioner, Mike Whan, whose mission is to “leave the tour a lot better than it was when we found it”. 

The tournament will honour those professionals who founded the LPGA some 60 years ago with founders Marilyn Smith, Louise Suggs and Shirley Spork playing some holes in an exhibition match at the tournament. 

Hall of famers Nancy Lopez, Patty Sheehan, Pat Bradley and Betsy King will also take part. 

In addition to the prize fund being donated to the LPGA Foundation, which, with the USGA, runs and promotes girls golf in America, each participating pro nominates a charity to play for. 

The winner’s charity receives $100,000, the runner-up gets $50,000 and so on. 

The tournament will carry Solheim Cup and Rolex world ranking points, and the money the players would have won will be allocated to them on the money list. 

Top players who have already committed to play in this very unusual tournament include three-time Major winner Yani Tseng, Christina Kim, Brittany Lincicome and Angela Stanford.

Is this extraordinary tournament a stroke of genius by commissioner Whan, or absolutely crazy? 

My opinion is that it’s a stroke of genius, for several reasons. Primarily, in the world of professional sport where avarice seems to be more and more prevalent amongst the top sportsmen and women, the LPGA is sending out a clear message that they and their members are not just about what’s in it for them, but genuinely care about their history, the future of women’s golf, their sponsors and their fans. 

I’m sure everyone reading this will recall how performing an act of kindness or generosity made them feel good, I believe that the Founders Cup will have very positive repercussions on the tour and the individuals who participate. 

Everyone involved will be part of a true celebration of women’s golf and I’m sure will feel that they’ve been a part of something very special.