#USA #Los Angeles #JM Eagle #Plastpro #LPGA

JM Eagle LA Championship Receives 2024 LPGA Tournament of the Year

The JM Eagle LA Championship, a landmark event in women's golf, has officially been recognized as the 2024 LPGA Tournament of the Year. This prestigious award highlights significant accomplishments and contributions across various categories within the LPGA Tour, and the announcement was made during the Gold Driver Awards that conclude the LPGA season.

Hosted by the historic Wilshire Country Club for the past two years, the championship is set to celebrate its third edition from April 14 to 20, 2025, at the El Caballero Country Club in Los Angeles. The notable achievements of Walter and Shirley Wang, the CEOs of the event's presenting sponsors, JM Eagle and Plastpro, are credited with transforming the tournament landscape. Under their guidance, the purse for the event was increased remarkably from $1.5 million to $3 million in its inaugural year. This unprecedented rise made it the first LPGA Tour event outside of major championships and the season-end CME Group Tour Championship to host a $3 million purse.

Impressively, this advancement sparked a trend, leading eleven other regular season LPGA tournaments to subsequently offer purses of $3 million or more in the following year. The JM Eagle LA Championship’s role in elevating the profile of women's golf is undeniable, inspiring events across the tour to consider greater investments in their own tournaments.

In a statement reflecting on the honor awarded to the championship, Walter and Shirley Wang expressed their gratitude: "We are incredibly happy and honored to be a part of this community, to promote a more equitable landscape for female golfers, and to make the JM Eagle LA Championship a premier event for LPGA players, officials, fans, and media." They also acknowledged the LPGA Tour for recognizing their hard work with the Tournament of the Year title, pledging to continue to offer world-class opportunities to aspiring golfers.

The JM Eagle LA Championship is among an exclusive group of three non-major championships to earn the LPGA Tournament of the Year accolade in recent years. LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan praised the Wangs for setting a new growth standard, highlighting their dedication to player amenities and substantial increases in tournament purses.

The tournament will showcase an impressive overall purse of $3.75 million in 2024, significantly boosting player experience with features like a VIP Pro-Am Party, generous giveaways totaling $150,000 for the LPGA players, and luxurious accommodations provided at the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt hotel during the event week. Complementary Porsche courtesy cars were also offered to select players.

Tim Erensen, a managing partner at Outlyr, which oversees the tournament, shared his views on the collaboration with the Wangs: "Working alongside Walter and Shirley Wang in elevating the JM Eagle LA Championship into one of the preeminent events on the LPGA Tour has been rewarding for our entire team at Outlyr. We are humbled to receive recognition as LPGA Tournament of the Year and welcome the greater LA community to join us in continuing to elevate this exceptional championship."

Two-time champion Hannah Green noted the significance of the championship, expressing her gratitude toward the Wangs for their dedication and passion in transforming the event into one that players and fans eagerly anticipate. Green, who successfully defended her title at the 2024 edition, is already looking forward to competing for a three-peat in 2025 at the new venue.

As the championship moves to El Caballero Country Club, it marks a new chapter for the tournament. This venue has a rich history, having previously hosted the LPGA Tour from 2002 to 2004, boasting wins from golf legends like Seri Pak and Annika Sorenstam. Announcements regarding tickets and volunteer opportunities for the 2025 event will be made in January.

JM Eagle, known globally as the leading manufacturer of plastic pipes, is dedicated to providing superior products while supporting sustainable solutions in various applications. Its innovation is matched by Plastpro, the top manufacturer of energy-efficient fiberglass doors and entry systems, renowned for their reliability. Both companies, sculpted by the philanthropic efforts of their founders, Walter and Shirley Wang, are focused on empowering the community through impactful initiatives.

To learn more about the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro or to follow the tournament, visit www.JMEagleLAChampionship.com and find them on social media @JMEagleLAChamp.