LPGA Acquires Duramed Futures Tour
Developmental Tour Acquisition Brings USA Women's Pro Golf Together
On July 18, the LPGA announced its purchase of the Duramed Futures Tour, which has been the "minor league" of women's professional golf in the USA since 1999.
The Duramed Futures Tour offers rising professional golf stars in the women's game the opportunity to prepare for a career on the LPGA. For several years, the two tours have worked closely to align the business side of their organizations to most effectively assist the members of both tours with professional golf development, and to prepare members of the Duramed Futures Tour for the transition to the LPGA. One of the biggest examples of the synergy between the two organizations over the years has been the awarding of coveted LPGA Tour cards for the top money leaders on the Duramed Futures Tour. In 2003, the LPGA increased the cards from three to five.
The acquisition will put women's professional golf in the United States under one umbrella. Together, the LPGA and Futures tours will bring the world's best female professional golfers to more markets, resulting in increased exposure for the players, sponsors and tours. Currently the LPGA has 35 tournaments worldwide and the Duramed FUTURES Tour has 19 tournaments in 14 states.
Now in its 27th season, the Duramed FuturesTour prepares women professional golfers for a career on the LPGA Tour. At the season's end each year, the top five players on the Tour's money list earn automatic LPGA Tour exemptions for the following year. The official developmental tour of the LPGA has grown into the largest international developmental tour and the world's second-largest women's golf tour with more than 300 players from 31 nations. Nearly 300 alumnae are LPGA Tour members, with former Duramed FUTURES Tour players owning a total of 314 LPGA titles and 33 major championships. The Duramed FUTURES Tour currently conducts 19 tournaments in 14 states and since 1989, has raised more than $4 million for charitable organizations.
Here are just a few of the former Futures who have went on to success on the LPGA Tour:
- Dawn Coe Jones
- Laura Davies
- Meaghan Francella
- Michelle McGann
- Meg Mallon
- Cristie Kerr
- Grace Park
- Dottie Pepper
- Michelle Redman
The Duramed Futures Tour is one of the main reasons for the success of women's golf in the United States. The tour has made it possible for many young women golfers to find the developmental assistance they need to reach the next level. The acquisition by the LPGA will surely enhance an already effective method of development.
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