World Congress of Women’s Golf to debut in 2004

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Nov. 20, 2003 – Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Commissioner Ty M. Votaw today announced the creation of the first-ever World Congress of Women’s Golf, a landmark event featuring worldwide industry leaders focused on the advancement of women’s professional golf. The inaugural staging of the World Congress of Women’s Golf will be May 20-22, 2004, in New York City during the Sybase Classic presented by Lincoln Mercury, which will be played in nearby New Rochelle, N.Y.

“The growth of women’s golf worldwide serves as an opportune time for organizations from around the world to come together,” said LPGA Commissioner Ty M. Votaw. “With the popularity of women’s golf at an all-time high, the time is right for a summit of this nature. As leaders in the golf industry, we aim to advance women’s golf in all areas, and I am confident the inaugural World Congress of Women’s Golf will greatly serve that goal.”

The World Congress of Women’s Golf was created by the LPGA as an opportunity to unify and strengthen women’s professional golf by providing shared leadership, knowledge and friendship in an inclusive and encouraging environment. Women’s professional golf organizations from around the world have been invited to attend and participate in meetings and panel discussions. Thus far, commitments have been received from the following associations, tours and corporate sponsorship organizations.

· American Junior Golf Association (AJGA)
· Australia LPGA
· Futures Tour
· Israel Golf Federation
· Japan LPGA (JLPGA)
· Korea LPGA (KLPGA)
· Ladies European Tour (LET)
· Ladies Golf Union (LGU)
· LPGA Tournament Sponsors Association
· PGA of Sweden
· Royal & Ancient Golf Club (R&A)
· Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA)
· South Africa LPGT
· Spanish Royal Federation of Golf
· Sybase, Inc.
· Tournament Sponsors Association of Japan
· United States Golf Association (USGA)
· Women’s Senior Golf Tour (WSGT)

Topics throughout the three-day World Congress of Women’s Golf will include: developing future golfers and building the pipeline; sponsorship; television; a women’s golf world ranking; and golf in the Olympic Games.

Sybase Inc. is a founding sponsor of the World Congress of Women’s Golf.

About Ladies Professional Golf Association
Featuring the world’s best women golfers, the LPGA’s membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2003 features 34
events, with more than 260 hours of television coverage, and total prize money of nearly $40 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised more than $139.5 million for charity. From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world’s preeminent women’s professional sports organization. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) membership boasts a total of nearly 1,200 women golf professionals who serve as teachers, golf professionals, club managers and coaches. Through the LPGA T&CP membership, the LPGA is working to increase the involvement of women and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla.

For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.
Contact: Connie Wilson, LPGA, 386-274-6200

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