WOMEN’S GOLF AND THE IJGA INVITATIONAL
In the past decade, we’ve seen golf evolve
from being an elite sport for men to a more
inclusive sport, played worldwide by men
and women alike. According to a 2017
National Golf Foundation report, there were
approximately 5.8 million women who play
golf. That number keeps growing.
While the Ladies Professional Golf
Association, LPGA, was established in 1950,
women’s golf didn’t take off until the dawn
of the Millennium. LPGA players like Karrie
Webb, Juli Inkster, Annika Sorenstam grew
attention to the women’s game and the prize
money soared. Michelle Wie helped grow
interests overseas and that, in turn, ushered in
a whole new wave of players, many of which
dominate the LPGA today.
The new recognition has brought additional
changes to woman’s golf with classic venues
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like Augusta National opening its doors to
women and posteriorly to women’s amateur
tournaments. Clearly, the world of woman’s
golf is thriving.