LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup Comes To Mountain Ridge (NJ)

The LPGA Founders Cup is a tournament that pays homage to, arguably, some of the most important members of the LPGA: its founders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Founded in 1950 by 13 women—Alice Bauer, Patty Berg, Bettye Danoff, Helen Dettweiler, Marlene Bauer Hagge, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Betty Jameson, Sally Sessions, Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork, Louise Suggs, and Babe Zaharias—who came together, founded the LPGA, put in place its bylaws, and set out organizing, running and playing in tournaments. 

In the LPGA’s first season, the Founders organized 14 events.  Over the approximately 70 years that have followed, the LPGA expanded and began holding international events.

And for 2021, the LPGA, with the help of Cognizant, is bringing the Founders’ Cup to the very beautiful, very challenging Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey. 

Notably, this is the second LPGA event in New Jersey after the ShopRite LPGA Classic (held at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club – Bay Course in Galloway, New Jersey).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I had the incredible opportunity to attend the media day at Mountain Ridge and I can tell you that this Donald Ross course, located merely 20 miles from NYC, will provide a challenge for the competitors, along with incredibly sight lines and viewing opportunities for fans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by EVAN SCHILLER Golf Photography (@evan_schiller_photography)

Indeed, the parkland design consists of nearly 7,100 yards when stretched out to the tips. The rolling fills, lined with strategically placed bunkers, and occasional water hazard that all feed up to a green that will punish if you if you aren’t reading the break or the grain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup is being played from October 7th to 10th, and features a stacked field with 33 of the top 50 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking and several members from Team USA and Team Europe from the recent Solheim Cup all vying for $3 million pot.

Some notable competitors are current World No. 1 and Olympic Gold Medalist Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko (#2), Inbee Park (#3), Yuka Saso (#6), Danielle Kang (#10), Brooke Henderson (#11), Anna Nordqvist (#16), Jessica Korda (#19), Charley Hull (#39), and Madelene Sagstrom (#47).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nelly (@nellykorda)

Notably, this will be the inaugural year for N.J.-based Cognizant, one of the world’s leading professional services companies, as title sponsor of the Founders Cup.

Gaurav Chand, Chief Marketing Officer of Cognizant, said:

“We are proud to be the title sponsor of the Founders Cup and have the opportunity to honor the 13 pioneering women who helped advance the game for future generations of golfers of all genders, at all levels… In partnering with the LPGA, it is Cognizant’s goal to help showcase the female players of today and support the continued evolution of diversity and inclusion in the sport, just as we continue our work to advance diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by The Founders Cup (@lpgafounders)

Media coverage for the LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup includes live streaming on NBC Sports App and golfchannel.com, as well as Golf Channel on Thursday (Oct. 7) between 2 and 5 p.m., Friday (Oct. 8) between 12 and 3 p.m., Saturday (Oct. 9) between 12 and 3 p.m., and Sunday (Oct. 10) between 12 and 3 p.m.

Cover Image Via Instagram