#1 women’s golfer in the world creates competition to honor LPGA’s history

Bird, bird, bird, birdie’s the word as top-ranked Stacy Lewis vows to let the count on her score card benefit more than just her pockets with a “Birdies 4 Founders Film” challenge.

For every birdie she makes in the LPGA’s remaining season, the #1 women’s golfer in the world has pledged to donate $100 to The Founders, a feature-length documentary about the 13 women who started the organization in 1950.

Lewis, who first learned about the film at the JTBC Founders Cup in Phoenix, Az., last March, said she wanted to pay tribute to those who laid the groundwork for women’s golf in a way that would draw attention to the sport’s past and present.

“I’m blessed to be able to travel the world playing golf for a living because 64 years ago 13 very courageous women made it all possible by founding what is now the LPGA Tour,”

Lewis said. “The Founders film will ensure that their efforts and sacrifices are never forgotten.”

Lewis now joins what Emmy Award-winning director Charlene Fisk hopes will be a growing list of current and former LPGA players to make financial contributions to The Founders, including Karrie Webb, Jane Park, Jenny Lidback and Rosie Jones. Webb donated $25,000 to the documentary following her comeback win at the JTBC Founders Cup last March and will be named an executive producer in the film’s credits.

“Golfers like Stacy and Karrie embody everything the founders stood for,” Fisk said.

“They understand the importance of not only focusing on their game but also playing and paying it forward in such a way that ensures the LPGA remains one of the most influential women’s sports organizations in the world.”

The Founders is being produced by Eleven 11 Films, an all-female production team based out of Atlanta, Ga., that has worked pro bono on the project for the past two years.

Although the crew has completed interviews with current and former LPGA players, including surviving founders Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork, Marlene Vossler and Louise Suggs, the documentary needs additional funding to secure archival footage and complete the editing and post-production process.

The “Birdies 4 Founders Film” challenge will be tracked online, where fans and players can follow Lewis’s progress, join the pledge leaderboard or make a donation. For more information, visit www.thefoundersfilm.com.

Stacy Lewis Launches “Birdies 4 Founders Film” Challenge

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