ELMSFORD, N.Y. (May 12, 2015) – Yesterday, Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y. hosted the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Media Day to announce what’s in store for its inaugural year.

Among the many incredible golfers in the field, there are 22 major champions aiming to add to their repertoire. At the head of the list is Two-Time Defending Champion Inbee Park, who earned the title in both ’13 and ’14.  The Championship offers a 3.5 million dollar purse – one of the highest in women’s golf.

The LPGA‘s best will come together to not only participate in one of the most competitive events of the season, but also celebrate the championships message of empowering women to take on leadership roles on and off the course.  In addition to watching strong women compete for the championship title, young women will be given the opportunity to participate in a Woman’s Leadership Summit, also hosted by Westchester Country Club.

This Leadership Summit has enlisted some of the most influential people of our time. At the helm of the summit is Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Duke Energy President and CEO Lynn Good, who will act as the keynote speakers for this event offering their vision as a way to inspire young women to become future leaders of industry. The distinguished panel does not stop there. Further inspiration will be offered by the likes of ESPN SportsCenter anchor Linda Cohen, LPGA TOUR Champion Stacy Lewis, Golf Channel Executive Producer Molly Solomon, LPGA Hall of Fame Golfer Annika Sorenstam and many more. Click here for the full list of panelists. 

Sessions will be moderated by Golf Channel on NBC and 2015 MGA Media Day host Dan Hicks, NBC News’ Weekend TODAY co-anchor and National Correspondent Erica Hill, and NBC News National Correspondent Kate Snow.

Also accompanying the Championship from June 6-14 are local youth events to complement the focus of empowering young people. These events include youth clinics, instruction from LPGA & PGA professionals, and fun play zones with interactive inflatables. Click here for the full list of events.

In a pga.com article by T.J. Auclair, PGA CEO Pete Bevacqua discussed the significance that events similar to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship has in influencing the rise of women’s golf.

“We know that girls who are here that week will see the game and want to play it,” he said. “We know that women that are either at the summit or here during the championship will want to take up the game and it just made sense. We have a strategic plan and we kind of put things through a series of points and discussions and this checked every box. This is exactly what The PGA of America should be doing in 2015 as we prepare golf for the future.”

LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan also looks at what this championship is offering to the younger generation and believes that it holds a major impact on the growth of golf in the next years.

“I can tell you, there's a lot of things I'm going to be proud of when it's time to hand the baton forward but none are going to more proud than this moment and what we are building here. Because I fundamentally believe we are going to make a difference not only for women in America but all around the world, both inside the ropes and inside the boardroom.”  

Westchester Country Club will host the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship from June 11-14, 2015 and will be broadcast in partnership with NBC and Golf Channel. Golf Channel will televise the first two rounds Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET. NBC coverage of the final two rounds is Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET.

**MGA Members can take advance of a special two-for-one ticket offer, valid for any day of the 2015 KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Use access code: MGAMember2015 -  https://ems.pgalinks.com/ticketing/index.cfm?sale_id=253