Celebrating Golf The Women’s Game

Women and girls are the fastest-growing segment of new golfers across the country. Two recent local events — one pro, one amateur — epitomize the excitement behind this remarkable upswing. 

Last fall, I had the honor of attending two very different but equally inspiring events that highlight the current, unprecedented growth in women’s golf: the Solheim Cup in Gainesville, Va., and the “Fore the Cure” Invitational hosted by Luray High School in Luray, Va. Despite a stark contrast in scale, the two tournaments shared a celebration of talent, camaraderie and the spirit of the game.

The Solheim Cup

When the Virginia Tourism Corporation invited me to the prestigious 2024 Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va. — just an hour from my house — I (almost literally) jumped at the chance. Similar in format to the PGA’s Ryder Cup, the biennial, transatlantic Solheim Cup pits the best LPGA players against the top competitors from Europe in a team match-play format. No way was I going to miss the opportunity to witness some of the best players in the world showcase their craft, especially so close to home.

Press credentials in hand, I arrived at the course with pin-high expectations (spoiler alert: expectations met and then some). 

From sweet treats to signature Virginia classics, the food was first-class, so you’ll forgive me for having indulged in one too many briskets.

The entire grounds buzzed with contagious energy. American pride was palpable. Spectators donned in red, white and blue waved flags, chanted in unison and cheered on Team USA. 

The course was nothing short of immaculate. A playground of pristine greens and breath-taking vistas spanned the horizon, providing the backdrop for three days of fierce competition.

But the real magic of the Solheim Cup lies with the people behind the scenes. Groundskeepers meticulously grooming fairways; volunteers in matching outfits directing traffic; and security teams keeping things safe and orderly. Like a well-conducted symphony, each person plays a vital role and the collective result is harmonious perfection.

I also had the pleasure of watching practice days, which offered a relaxed vibe where players mingled with the crowd, signing autographs and chatting with fans of all ages. It was a poignant reminder that — even at its highest level — golf is a game of connection.

The Luray Lady Golf  “Fore the Cure” Invitational

Still riding the high from the Solheim Cup, I found myself back in the Shenandoah Valley, camera in hand, heading to Luray’s Caverns Country Club for a high school girls’ golf tournament. The event, dubbed “Fore the Cure,“ is as grassroots as a freshly seeded fairway, with 32 golfers from 10 schools competing
on one of the Valley’s most scenic courses.

Smaller in size than the Solheim Cup but equal in enthusiasm, Fore the Cure bustled with parents and coaches cheering from the sidelines. The players — ranging from seasoned competitors to first-timers — carried their clubs with a mix of focus, nerves and anticipation.

I met Jason, whose daughter and six friends took up golf just recently. Together, they started a team at East Rock High School, proving that passion and a willingness to try can trump experience. Then there was a young golfer who confided her 7-iron was the only club she could hit straight. Her honesty made me smile — and reminded me why I love this sport.

The Caverns Course itself is a story to be told. The first hole plunges down a slope toward a hidden cave entrance in the center of the fairway, with a river to the left, framed by trees that seem to get closer as you step onto the tee box. Wildlife abounds: deer, groundhogs, even the occasional wild turkey strutting across the fair-way. It’s a place where the scenery can distract you from your game — in the best possible way.

Bringing It All Together

What struck me — like a Big Bertha to a Titleist Pro VI — about these two tournaments is the shared sense of community. Whether you’re cheering for Team USA or encouraging a young golfer taking her first swing, the spirit of our favorite game is alive and infectious.

Above all, it’s the people who make this sport special. At the Solheim Cup, it wasn’t just the world-class players sinking impossible putts, it was also the volunteers, fans and caddies who rendered the experience unforgettable. At the Luray “Fore the Cure” Invitational, the young athletes were supported by families and passionate coaches — like Luray High School’s Gwen Burley — cultivating relationships that extend far beyond the course.

Both events reminded me that golf isn’t just a sport — it’s a way to build confidence, form friendships and strengthen communities. Whether you’re watching the world’s best or walking alongside a local high school team, there’s a story to be told. From elite tournaments to intimate invitationals, women’s golf is thriving, and it’s something everyone — golfer or not — should experience at least once.

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Team USA Players

Allisen Corpuz

Lauren Coughlin

Ally Ewing

Megan Khang

Nelly Korda

Jennifer Kupcho

Alison Lee

Andrea Lee

Sarah Schmelzel

Lexi Thompson

Lilia Vu

Rose Zhang

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FUN FACT

June is Women’s Golf Month 

75 Years of Empowering, Inspiring and Transforming the Lives of Girls and Women through the Game of Golf

2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), the longest-running women’s professional sporting organization and one of the most prominent and influential organizations in all of sports. 

The LPGA has grown from 13 founding members in 1950 to a membership today that exceeds
1,800 pros and 15,500 amateurs over the age of 18.

In 1989, the LPGA launched USGA Girl’s Golf for girls ages 6-17. In 2023, Girl’s Golf reached its one-millionth participant and launched the #OneMillionMORE campaign to show its commitment to impacting the next one million girls by 2030. It’s no wonder, then, that women and girls are the fastest-
growing segment of new golfers across the country. 

• Females now account for 26% of the on-course golfer population in the U.S. (up from 20% in 2011).
• Approximately 7 million women and girls played golf on a course in 2023.
• Of the 45 million Americans who play any kind
  of golf (on- or off-course), 33% are female.
• Another 7 million+ females categorized as non-golfers have said they’re “very interested” in giving traditional golf a try. This heightened level
  of interest is, at least in part, a byproduct of more welcoming and less intimidating
  off-course forms of the game.

Sources: LPGA.com; girlsgolf.org National Golf  Foundation (ngf.org)