Chasing Unicorns

BY CORI MATHESON

Thirty years ago, Sandy LaBauve had a big dream to impact the lives of Phoenix area girls that would forever change the golf community. LaBauve, founder of Girls Golf and director of golf at Westin Kierland Golf Club, shared her passion by developing the “Girls Golf Club” that has since reached more than 80,000 girls internationally (2018 LPGA Foundation Annual Report) and has grown to 500 program sites through the LPGA Foundation. Now known as the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix, our “club” is the most active, strongest and most innovative site paving the way for female empowerment.

This year, we continue to chase LaBauve’s dreams by providing more than 40 events to engage our 230-plus paid members (girls ages 3-18). The event schedule includes 10 practice sessions (also known as Game Changers) that are open to girls of all skill levels; a national Girls Golf Academy in August; and the fifth annual Girls Golf Day, our biggest day of the year, on Oct. 5.

We are celebrating the program’s success with a 30th birthday brunch on May 2 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. This ticketed event will relive the last 30 years through a slideshow and presentations by alumni, staff and members. Dreams for the future of Girls Golf of Phoenix will also be shared. The event theme “Chasing Unicorns” was inspired by a newly released periwinkle unicorn headcover by Daphne’s Headcovers (a Girls Golf of Phoenix partner).

Single-seat tickets to our birthday brunch are $130, or three tickets for $300. Sponsored tables that seat 10 guests are also available for $1,030. To purchase tickets or get more information, visit girlsgolfpofphoenix.org/birthday.

Daphne’s Headcovers created a Unicorn headcover for LPGA * USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix, which is marking its 30th anniversary. Director Cori Matheson holds the coveted headcover (above) and celebrates with some of her girls (top photo).