Peers recognize her endless impact on and off the course
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., April 2, 2010 - LPGA Tour players named Rolex Rankings No.1 and 2009 Rolex Player of the Year Lorena Ochoa the recipient of the 2009 William and Mousie Powell Award. The award is given annually to an LPGA member who, in the opinion of her playing peers, by her behavior and deeds, best exemplifies the spirits, ideals and values of the LPGA.
Since joining the LPGA Tour in 2003 and climbing her way to the no.1 spot in the world in 2007, Ochoa has humbly embraced her success on the course, serving as a role model for other Latina women to pursue their golf dreams. Off the course, Ochoa has emerged as a powerful leader in her home country of Mexico. There, Ochoa has worked tirelessly to provide playing opportunities for Hispanic youth via her Lorena Ochoa Foundation and her Lorena Ochoa Golf Academies. Relentless on the golf course, Ochoa matches this spirit off the course in her efforts to stem the dropout rate of children in Mexico by creating unique school environments that encourage learning via music, sports and the arts.
Complementing her work in Mexico, Ochoa is slated to announce today at the Kraft Nabisco Championship the creation of a U.S.-based Lorena Ochoa Foundation that will look to reach underrepresented demographics in the States - particularly Hispanic youth - and provide them with playing and career-based opportunities in golf.
The late Mousie Powell, for whom this award was named, was a close supporter and friend of the LPGA from the 1950s until her death on Jan. 18, 1997. She was married to William Powell, a Hollywood legend and one of its leading male actors. Mousie, who was also featured in movies during that time, started the William and Mousie Powell Award in 1986. Past recipients include: Kathy Whitworth, Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley, Betsy King and Juli Inkster.