Since the inaugural KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, I’ve made it a point to add the tournament to my calendar every year in bold red pen.

Not only does the event showcase some of the best female golfers on one of golf’s biggest stages, but it also brings together women at the top of their careers in sport and business to celebrate golf and women’s leadership.

The theme of the tournament and festivities surrounding the week is “Inspire Greatness” and that spirit can be felt throughout every element.

 

 

This year’s event is shaping up to be one to remember. Here are four things I absolutely love about the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship:

 

1. KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit

Preceding the tournament, the KPMG Women’s Leadership summit is a full-day event that connects top leaders from across industries to learn from thought-leaders including former Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice and KPMG’s President and CEO Lynne Doughtie.

 

 

The energy in the room is truly electric with high-powered women buzzing throughout, and the keynotes from CEOs, best-selling authors, and Olympians who offer inspiration that is the prefect, mid-year pick-me-up for any professional.

And the best part? The entire summit is streamed live at no cost.

If you missed-out on the livestream of the Summit, you can watch a replay here.

 

2. LPGA Teachers in the Field

Thanks to exemptions earned from the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals National Championship, eight women who work in the golf industry (as club professionals, teaching professionals, merchandisers, or golf coaches) will put their skills to the test with an opportunity of a lifetime.

2018 LPGA Club Pros KPMG

The backstories of these women’s lives and careers are captivating, which makes rooting for them easy. Helping their students improve their games is one thing, but finding time to refine their skills to LPGA Tour standards is a magnificent accomplishment.

Keep an eye out for these golf professionals during the tournament.

  • Wendy Doolan
  • Joanna Coe
  • Heather Angell
  • Ashley Grier
  • Alison Curdt
  • Lisa Grimes
  • Jean Bartholomew
  • Charlotta Sorenstam


3. Inspire Greatness Award

The KPMG Inspire Greatness Award is presented each year to a visionary who has exemplified a personal commitment to empower future generations of women, and who recognizes golf as a relationship development tool.

Previous honorees included IBM Chairman, President, and CEO Ginni Rometty, LPGA legend and entrepreneur Annika Sorenstam, and 66th U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice. This year’s KPMG Inspire Greatness Award honoree, retired Admiral Michelle Howard of the US Navy, has broken the glass ceiling throughout her 35-year naval career, opening new doors for others.

 

 

4. KPMG Leadership Scholars

The KPMG Leadership Scholars program, funded through the proceeds from the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit, awards 20 female high school seniors, many of whom are first-generation college students, with scholarships, a leadership development retreat at Stanford University hosted by Dr. Condoleezza Rice, ongoing mentorship from female business leaders, and meet LPGA Tour player and Stanford alumna Mariah Stackhouse.

 

As a personal aside, one of this year’s scholarship recipients, Topanga, is local to Orlando and I’ve had a chance to watch her grow and thrive in the junior golf ranks over the years. When it comes to the talent of the young women selected to participate in the program, I can tell you first hand that the recipients of these awards are both high achievers and all-around amazing people.

KPMG, the PGA of America and the LPGA pull out all of the stops to produce an event that lives up to its credence to Inspire Greatness. It’s the perfect reminder that those big goals we’ve set for ourselves are within reach, proof positive by the incredible female role models brought together by the event.