It was amazing, delightful and a labor of love for the Michigan Women’s Golf Association when the group held its sold-out Legacy Celebration in May.
Not only did the golf/dinner event honor three of the most esteemed Michigan-affiliated women in golf, but it also raised $28,000 for girls’ and collegiate golf.
The MWGA Legacy Celebration, May 19, honored LPGA Founding Member and Eastern Michigan University Alumna Shirley Spork, former USGA Committeewoman and Golf Association of Michigan Honorary Governor Betty Richart and first and long-time Michigan State University Women’s Golf Coach Mary Fossum.
MWGA Honorees (seated left to right) Shirley Spork, Betty Richart and Mary Fossum, are front and center amid Legacy Celebration Planning Committee members at the evening event. (Photo courtesy of Art McCafferty, GLSP)
Of the $28,000 raised, $12,000 went to the Detroit-based MWGA Girls Golf Program, conducted in cooperation with the LPGA and USGA. In addition, the honorees-selected women’s collegiate golf programs – at Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan – each received $5,100, in the name of their respective honoree, and the University of Detroit-Mercy women’s golf program received $1,000.
The MWGA Legacy Celebration included a May 18th Meet and Greet Luncheon, sponsored by the Eastern Michigan University Foundation, and a sold-out golf event and dinner the following day, May 19, at Travis Pointe Country Club in Ann Arbor.
“In every way, the MWGA Legacy Celebration was a tremendous success,” said Francine Pegues, Legacy Celebration chairperson and MWGA President. “We were thrilled to have individuals from every segment of Michigan’s golf leadership, along with national representatives of the LPGA and USGA, join us in recognizing our three amazing honorees and making these events incredibly special.
“We also are immeasurably thankful for the many donors and sponsors who came forward with generous contributions and in-kind support. And we’re equally thankful to all who supported the event through their golf participation and personal contributions, including purchases of hole sponsorships, program ads and silent auction items,” Pegues said. “Their support for women’s and girl’s golf in Michigan is inspiring.”
Major sponsors of the Legacy Celebration included: Crystal Waters Foundation, the Eastern Michigan University Foundation, Golf Association of Michigan, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), the Michigan State University Athletics Department, Meijer and Great Lakes Sports Publications.
Shirley Spork receives an MWGA Lifetime Achievement Award from Legacy Celebration Planning Committee Members Susan Bairley of The A Position and MWGA President Francine Pegues. (Photo courtesy of Art McCafferty, GLSP)
Other significant sponsors included: Prime Time Awards, Discount Tire, Capers Steakhouse and Janina Jacobs, the Ann Arbor Women’s Golf Association, the University of Michigan Athletics Department, Legacy Trust and Adidas.
I was privileged to serve as a vice chairperson on the MWGA Legacy Celebration Planning Committee members along with Chairperson Francine Pegues; Vice Chairpersons Janina Jacobs and Sara Wold; and Joan Cleland, Barbara Coury, Barbara Porter, Nancy Serra, Pat Shelton and Sandy Wagner. And I also was thrilled to present the Lifetime Achievement Award, with Francine Pegues, to Shirley Spork.
Since 1986, the Michigan Women’s Golf Association (MWGA), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, has been instrumental in promoting women’s golf in Michigan, earning national recognition for its efforts on behalf of women golfers everywhere. The MWGA has provided leadership and financial support for many endeavors involving golf in Michigan, including youth programs, the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Golf Association of Michigan programs, USGA events and more.
For more information, visit www.mwgolf.org
