NEW YORK | New USGA chief executive officer Mike Whan likes saying that on his watch he intends to respect if not cherish history. But he’d like to make a little history along the way.
On Friday of last week, in the same city where the USGA was founded in 1894, he did just that.
Whan announced that the USGA and healthcare organization ProMedica have entered into a 10-year partnership that includes presenting partner rights for the U.S. Women’s Open, notably elevating the championship through a $10 million purse, additional host sites that include some of the most esteemed courses in the United States and increased charitable support to ensure that its life-changing impact continues to set the standard in the women’s game.
In so doing, the USGA will nearly double its purse in 2022, creating the event’s largest winner check of $1.8 million. The organization additionally committed to continue to bump the purse in the next five years to $12 million.
It will be the first time in its 127 years that the USGA has had a presenting commercial sponsorship associated with any of its championships.
“This partnership with ProMedica allows us to substantially grow the championship in every way, from its purpose to its purse, to the places that host the event.”
Mike Whan
ProMedica – a mission-based, not-for-profit health organization that serves communities in 28 states – becomes the newest partner in the USGA’s global program, which is designed to extend the reach of the association’s initiative to champion and advance the game. In addition to being the presenting sponsor for the U.S. Women’s Open, the group ProMedica will be the official health and well-being partner of the USGA as part of the relationship.
“The USGA prides itself on conducting championships that not only provide an incredible stage for the athletes, but also give younger players something to dream about,” Whan said at Friday’s announcement. “For more than 75 years, the U.S. Women’s Open has been the one that every little girl, in every country around the world, has dreamed of winning.
Key to the partnership is a joint commitment by the organizations to highlight the importance of addressing health inequities across the country, which will include sharing the personal stories of golfers and USGA competitors nationwide who have used the game as a means to a healthier lifestyle.
ProMedica also intends to use the global stage the U.S. Women’s Open provides to generate charitable dollars for its ProMedica Impact Fund, which will become the official charity of the U.S. Women’s Open. The organization’s commitment for the fund is to raise more than $1 billion in eight years to improve individual and community health. The partners will support programs in championship communities with a focus on social determinants of health.
“With this unprecedented partnership, both organizations are breaking new ground,” said Randy Oostra, ProMedica’s president and chief executive officer. “ProMedica will benefit from taking its work in social determinants of health onto a national stage, while the USGA will benefit from the opportunity to embrace a not-for-profit organization whose mission and support will elevate its signature women’s event.
“You simply cannot talk about improving the health and well-being of all individuals without talking about the disproportionate impact of social determinants of health on women. The U.S. Women’s Open is a perfect platform for bringing this message to a much broader audience.”
The USGA also named five additional future U.S. Women’s Open host sites: Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California (2026); Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio (2027); Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina (2029); Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota (2030); and Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (2031 and 2042).
Including previously announced host positions for Pebble Beach (2023), Oakmont (2028 and 2038) and Merion (2034 and 2046), the championship is set to visit iconic venues in the game, many of which have hosted the men’s U.S. Open.
The 2029 U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst will mark the return of “back-to-back” men’s and women’s open championships, a reprisal of the acclaimed 2014 fortnight that saw men and women compete on the same No. 2 course in consecutive weeks for the United States’ national championship.
Ed. note: Information from the USGA was used in this report.
Top: Mike Whan during the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open