DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., January 17, 2023 – The LPGA Foundation is excited to announce a new partnership with the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association and First Tee – Hawaii (HSJGA/FTH). Beginning in the spring of 2023, this partnership will launch a new LPGA*USGA Girls Golf chapter in Hawaii, which will be run and operated by the HSJGA/FTH.

“The LPGA Foundation is excited to partner with the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association and First Tee – Hawaii to make the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Hawaii chapter a reality,” said Nancy Henderson, President of the LPGA Foundation. “Like us, they believe in the power of golf to inspire, empower and transform the lives of young girls.”

LPGA*USGA Girls Golf is a non-profit 501(c)(3) junior golf program with sites in more than 500 communities across the country for girls ages 7-17. It is the only national junior golf program that specializes in providing girl-friendly environments for juniors to learn the game of golf and valuable leadership skills. Girls Golf sites are led by LPGA and PGA professionals, as well as certified coaches from the First Tee.

“The inception of the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Hawaii Chapter will cultivate the further growth of the game for the benefit of our local girls,” said John De Fries, President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, whose partnership with the LPGA made this new chapter possible and further ensures that the world’s finest golfers will compete in Hawaii. “There will come a time when this new chapter will produce future champions at all levels of competition, which in turn will bring a great sense of pride to the people of Hawaii.”

According to the LPGA, girls under 18 are the fastest growing sector of all US golfers. The Girls Golf program has played a pivotal role in that growth. Since being founded in 1989, Girls Golf has directly impacted one million girls, with 100,000 engaged in 2022 alone. Girls Golf alumnae have found success at all stages, from junior golf to the collegiate and professional levels. In fact, 75 alumnae have competed on the LPGA and/or Epson tours.

“We are excited for this new partnership with Girls Golf and our association for 2023 for a new chapter in Hawaii. This partnership expands our already diverse junior golf offerings for the entire state,” said HSJGA/FTH Executive Director Chris Noda.

The HSJGA/FTH began recruiting coaches during the recent PGA TOUR events in Hawaii. The first Hawaii Girls Golf event is projected to be held in the late spring/early summer of 2023.

For additional information on the HSJGA/First Tee – Hawaii, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf or the Ala Wai Golf Center, please email info@hsjga.org