The LPGA and LET, in partnership with Velocity Global, the Official Global Work Platform of both Tours, has introduced a new award that will reward players who have helped ‘to grow the game and to inspire the next generation of athletes to have a positive impact on the world’.
Throughout each season, the LPGA and LET will celebrate players and their efforts in giving back to the world and their local communities off the golf course. Toward the end of each season, the LPGA will produce a list of nominees, and the Velocity Global Impact Award Committee will name three players as finalists for the Velocity Global Impact Award.
The winner will receive $100,000, as well as a $100,000 donation to her charity/cause of choice. The other two finalists will each receive $25,000.
Each finalist will be featured in a docuseries-style content piece sharing their personal story and impact on the game. The winner will be determined through a combination of a fan vote and voting by the committee. The winner will be announced annually on International Women’s Day, March 8.
Sarah Fern, Chief People Officer at Velocity Global, said: “The Velocity Global Impact Award provides a new avenue to not only recognize the overwhelming contributions made by female golfers in advancing the game but also offers us the opportunity to celebrate the significant positive impacts they make in their communities at home and around the world. We are thrilled to partner with LPGA and LET to highlight the many amazing women in professional golf who truly personify greatness in sport.”
Nominees will be judged by how well they demonstrate the following five values shared by the the award’s sponsor. These comprise:
- Velocity – Swiftly assisting in the growth of the game at the youth or amateur level.
- Integrity – Personifying honesty and transparency, serving as a role model to others.
- BE BOLD – Willing to forge new paths to create a better future.
- Empowerment – Empowering others through words and actions to have an impact in their own communities.
- Service – Contributing to their communities through their actions.
LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said: “The LPGA Tour and LET feature the world’s best female golfers from more than 60 countries. Through their unique platform and talent, players have the opportunity to impact and inspire people in various communities around the globe,” said “We are grateful to Velocity Global for recognizing the impact our players have and for creating this award to highlight and celebrate their commitment to giving back. We are very fortunate to have so many players who value service and to have partners who share our vision to change the world through golf.”
The Velocity Global Impact Award Committee comprises seven women, all of whom are dedicated to advancing opportunities for women both professionally and athletically. They are:
- Sarah Fern, Chief People Officer at Velocity Global
- Erin Hamrick, Partner at Sterling James and board member of the LPGA Foundation
- Nancy Lopez, 48-time LPGA Tour winner and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame
- Nzinga Shaw, President of TurnkeyZRG
- Lisa Stevens, Chief People Officer and Head of Global Human Capital Solutions at Aon
- Reiko Takekawa, journalist for Kyodo News
- Ali Whitaker, broadcaster for the LPGA Tour, LET and DP World Tour.