Founders Cup Returns to NJ in 2022
New Jersey native Marina Alex competing in the 2021 LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup, which returns to New Jersey in 2022.
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (February 7, 2022) -- The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) today announced a multi-year agreement with Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, N.J., to host the LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup, starting with the 2022 tournament from May 9-15. This marks the second consecutive year that golf’s best professional women players will visit the Garden State to compete in the prestigious event that pays tribute to the 13 founding members of the LPGA, including surviving founders Marlene Bauer Hagge and Shirley Spork.
Related: Founders Cup Home | Volunteer
“The LPGA is thrilled to return to Upper Montclair Country Club and make this historic venue the new home of the Cognizant Founders Cup,” said Scott Wood, Tournament Director, Cognizant Founders Cup. “After an amazing first year in Northern NJ, where women’s golf was passionately embraced by fans and sponsors alike, we are excited to begin a new tradition and create memorable moments at UMCC.”
Upper Montclair Country Club is one of only a few country clubs worldwide known to have hosted tournaments for all three professional golf tours, including the LPGA in 1979 & 1980, 1983 & 1984, and 2007-2009. The championship will take place over the South and West nines at the club. Long considered one of New Jersey’s premier golf clubs, this legendary A.W. Tillinghast golf course design underwent a major renovation in the 1950s, directed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., transforming Upper Montclair Country Club into its present 27-hole Championship layout. The acclaimed venue, which has hosted hundreds of the world’s best players over many decades, will challenge defending champion Jin Young Ko; major champion and World No. 2 Nelly Korda; and the elite field of LPGA TOUR golfers.
“The membership of Upper Montclair Country Club is truly excited to welcome the LPGA back and host the Cognizant Founders Cup,” said Charlie Dimpfl, CCM, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Upper Montclair Country Club. “There is no greater supporter of women’s golf and the professional game than UMCC, and we expect today’s world-class women professionals will find our golf course as challenging, yet as fair as their predecessors.”
Upper Montclair has hosted MGA championships 11 times. The club is one of 18 MGA member clubs to have hosted all three MGA majors, welcoming the Ike in 1975, 1978 and 1990, the Met Amateur in 1970 and the Met Open in 1976.
A variety of volunteer opportunities are available for the championship.