Volunteers of America to Honor Golf Legend Kathy Whitworth

Honors to Take Place at 2019 Volunteers of America Classic and LPGA Women’s Luncheon on Oct. 2

(ALEXANDRIA, Va.) — Volunteers of America will honor golf legend Kathy Whitworth at a women’s luncheon during the 2019 Volunteers of America Classic on Wednesday, October 2, at 11:30 a.m. The Women In Play Luncheon will take place at The Tribute at The Colony, 1000 Lebanon Road, The Colony, Texas and is open to the public with advance ticket purchase.

Suzy Whaley

Suzy Whaley, president and the first woman ever elected to serve as an officer of the PGA of America, will serve as a featured speaker at the luncheon. Whaley will reflect on the impact women have made in golf and the future of female engagement and participation in the sport.

Whitworth holds 88 victories over a span of 23 years—more than any other professional golfer in history, male or female. A respected member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Whitworth paved the way for other LPGA players. She will celebrate her 80th birthday at the luncheon.

“We are truly delighted to have both Suzy and Kathy heading up this year’s luncheon,” said Volunteers of America National President Mike King. “They are both exceptional and have each made a meaningful difference for women and golf.”

Volunteers of America is the proud title sponsor of the 2019 Volunteers of America Classic, the only LPGA tour stop in Texas. The tournament is held Sept. 30 through Oct. 6 at Old American Golf Club. The Volunteers of America Classic represents the pinnacle of female professional athletics in the region. The official LPGA tournament will feature 144 of the world’s best female golfers in a four-day stroke-play event vying for a $1.3 million purse. Tournament week will include various special events and activities that encourage local youth and families to get involved and experience everything that takes place throughout the week.

Golf industry leaders Diana Gats and Kathy O’Neal serve as the Women In Play Luncheon co-chairs. A golfer and twenty-year member of LPGA Amateur Golf Association, Diana Gats is a growth specialist and business advisor working with businesses and nonprofits.

With over twenty five years of experience in the golf industry, Kathy O’Neal has spoken nationally and internationally for Club Managers Association of America on member recruitment, retention and club development. She has served on the boards of the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the First Tee of Dallas and Texas Association of Recreational Organizations and as Senior Vice President of Member Experience at ClubCorp.

Sponsorship packages and tickets to this inaugural event are now available. Contact Laura Sildon, lsildon@voa.org or visit www.voa.org/womeninplay for more information.