The Bank of Hope Founders Cup, the only LPGA tournament in Arizona, will be held March 18 to 24, 2019, at Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. The tournament will feature a full field of LPGA players who will compete for a $1.5 million purse. The event, which is televised and broadcast in over 160 nations across the globe, will feature notable golfers including 2018 winner and Olympic gold medalist Inbee Park, top earnings player Cristie Kerr and ASU alum Anna Nordqvist. 

“We’re excited to kick off the West Coast part of our tour for the ninth consecutive year here in the Valley,” said Scott Wood, tournament director.  “After recently announcing our partnership extension with JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, the players are looking forward to returning to Wildfire Golf Club.”

Schedule of events: Tuesday, March 19 - Professional Practice Rounds – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Wednesday, March 20 - Official Pro-Am – 7:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, March 21 to Sunday, March 24 – Tournament Play – 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

Tickets Available: Good Any Day Grounds Tickets - $20 plus tax*; Family Four Pack - $65 plus tax*; Pioneer Pavilion Thursday to Sunday - $75 plus tax*; 18th Villa Thursday to Sunday - $110 plus tax*; Founders Club Thursday to Sunday - $135 plus tax*

Note: *Online pricing only 

The Bank of Hope Founders Cup is excited to announce that the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix will remain host to the event for the next three years, through 2021. 

Since the inception of the Founders Cup, the tournament has seen an 84 percent increase in total attendance, bringing them to their highest record of 63,000 attendees in 2018. Spectators traveled from more than 60 states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada to the Marriott Resort to see their favorite players tee off. 

The LPGA has held a tournament in Arizona for more than 40 years at several courses under different title sponsors. The Bank of Hope Founders Cup was created to honor the 13 women who founded the LPGA in 1950. 

For more information on purchasing tickets and tournament updates, visit www.lpgafounderscup.com/ticket-information. 

Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is located at 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85054.

About the LPGA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 members representing 30 different countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. Follow the LPGA on the Golf Channel, facebook.com/LPGA and twitter.com/LPGA.

First Women’s Leadership Forum
The ninth annual LPGA Bank of Hope Founders Cup is excited to announce the inaugural Women’s Leadership Forum, an extension of its annual “What’s Fore Lunch” program. The networking event on Thursday, March 21 will feature LPGA Chief Brand and Communications Officer, Roberta Bowman as the keynote speaker. 

A panel of influential Valley community leaders will include Filippa McDougall, the new director of golf operations at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Jamie Rahaeuser, FSOP division manager at Swire Coca Cola and Valley radio personality Beth McDonald. Moderated by LPGA major champion and Golf Channel host Karen Stupples, guests will be able to participate in a Q&A style forum with the panelists. 

At the networking event, guests will enjoy lunch before heading out to the course to watch the best female golfers in the world. The day will end on the driving range with golf demonstrations and tips from LPGA teaching and club professionals, open to all skill levels. 

Individual tickets are available for $140 or as a table for $1,000. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Go.lpga.com/phxtickets.com. 

Looking for New and Returning Volunteers
New for 2019, the tournament is excited to announce two volunteer packages, one of which has a bigger incentive for those returning to volunteer again this March.  

Returning volunteers who participated in the 2018 tournament can register for a reduced price of $40. This returning volunteer package includes the tournament hat, complimentary weekly badge, 6 grounds tickets to share with friends and family, commemorative lapel pin, and free round of golf (if minimum hours/shifts are met). Returning volunteers must have been a part of the 2018 tournament, as they will wear those tournament polos for this year’s event. 

New volunteers can join one of the many committees available. The volunteer package is $60 and includes a tournament golf shirt, tournament hat, complimentary weekly badge, six grounds tickets to share with friends and family, and commemorative lapel pin. If volunteers complete three shifts or the 18 hour volunteer minimum, they will receive one free round of golf at Wildfire Golf Club.  

For questions about volunteering, email foundersvolunteer@lpga.com. To register as a volunteer, visit www.lpgafounderscup.com/volunteers.