Since its start the criteria has been changed 3 times, the last change taking place in 1999. Entrance to the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame is limited to LPGA members who meet the following criteria:

1. Must be/have been an "active" LPGA Tour member for 10 years:
2. Must have won/been awarded at least one of the following - an LPGA major championship, the Vare Trophy or Rolex Player of the Year honors; and
3. Must have accumulated a total of 27 points, which are
awarded as follows - one point for each LPGA official
tournaments win, two points for each LPGA major
tournament win and one point for each Vare Trophy or Rolex
Player of the Year honor earned.

The Women's Professional Golfers' Association was established in 1946; very soon thereafter it created the U. S. Women's Open as the premier tournament on the women's tour. In 1949 the Ladies Professional Golfers Association succeeded the WPGA and conducted the tournament through 1952, at that time the U. S. Golf Association took it over. Something that many will find noteworthy is that the purse of $19,700 for the first Open was contributed by the Spokane Athletic Round Table, a men’s fraternal organization. The purse was gathered from slot machine proceeds.

The U.S. Women’s Open is the longest-running event currently on the [tag-tec]LPGA[/tag-tec] Tour. It is one of the LPGA's four major champion-ships. It is 72 holes and in the case of a tie there is then an 18 hole playoff. The event is open to any female who has a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 4.4. The U.S. Women's Open is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

Not only is this event considered one of the most difficult, it is one of the most vied for.  Golf courses across the country want to host the event. Not only for the honor but, of course, for the economic gain that hosting such a high profile event generates. At this point the Women’s U.S. Open Championships are planned up to 2010. Sales are open for the 2007 event and courses are vying for 2011. Is it any wonder that winning the U.S. Women’s Open is one of the greatest accomplishments in golf?

Patty Berg was a founding member of the
LPGA. Born February 13, 1918, Patty was 13 when she turned her focus to golf and never stopped.  For Berg, golf was a high calling. One of her rules was: "Don't think you really win until you live up to that high thing within you that makes you do your best, no matter what."At 16 she won the 1934 Minneapolis City Championship. The next 7 years held 28 amateur victories for Patty.

Patty turned professional in 1940, at a time when there were very few professional women golfers. In 1946 Patty won the first U.S. Women’s Open. Not long after that in 1948 Patty was among the group of women who founded the LPGA and was the association’s first president. That same year she won 3 titles.
Patty Berg had so many struggles with health issues that she should be an inspiration to us all. In 1941 she was in a car accident that severely injured her knee and was sidelined for 18 months, cancer surgery in 1971, major hip surgery in 1980, and back surgery in 1989. Even though the hip surgery ended her professional career, she still remained an active golfer and teacher. 

Patty Berg was all things to women's golf-a superb player, a great promoter, a wonderful teacher, a charismatic personality.  Patty Berg was inducted into LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame, LPGA T&CP Hall of Fame, Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, PGA of America Golf Hall of Fame, University of Minnesota Hall of Fame, and the American, Minnesota and Florida Halls of Fame.

Sadly on September 10th,2006 the world of golf lost Patty Berg due to Alzheimer’s.

Marlene Bauer Hagge is one of the original 13 founding members of the LPGA.  Marlene started playing golf at the age of three during a time when women’s golf was nothing more than a novelty beyond the club level.  Marlene won the Long Beach City Boys Junior at the age of 10.  In 1947 at the age of 13 she won the Los Angeles Women’s Golf Championship on a course where the scorecard stated “Children Under 14 Are Not Allowed.” That same year she became the youngest player to make the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open and finished eighth.

In 1949, at the age of 15, she became the youngest athlete ever to be named Associated Press Athlete of the Year, Golfer of the Year, Teenager of the Year, won the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and the WWGA Junior titles. In 1950, two weeks before her 16th birthday, she turned pro. Together with her sister Alice and her parents, she traveled around the LPGA Tour in a 22-foot Airstream trailer. The sisters were graceful and petite, the tour's first glamour girls, and their fresh beauty attracted new fans to women's golf. Marlene became the youngest player to win a LPGA event in 1952 when she won the Sarasota Open at the age of 18. She continued to play and win for the first five decades of the LPGA Tour.

In 2000, during the LPGA’s 50th anniversary, she was recognized as one of the organizations top 50 players and teachers. On November 15, 2002 Marlene was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame.
 

Inducted to the Hall of Fame LPGA in 1975, Kathy Whitworth holds the record for tournament wins (88). That is more than any other professional golfer in history, male or female.

Kathy started golf at the age of 15 and captured the New Mexico State Amateur title two years in a row (1957-58) before turning pro in December of 1958. Although Kathy joined the LPGA tour in 1958 she did not win her first tournament until 1962 at the Kelly Girl Open. This win seemed to open the floodgates. In 1965 she won 8 tournaments, in 1966 nine, in 1967 eight and in 1968 ten.

Winning her 30th career LPGA title at the Raleigh Ladies Invitational at the age of 27 years, 6 months and 27 days makes her the second-youngest player to reach the 30-win milestone.
In 1970 she won the Orange Blossom Classic for the third year in a row. In 1975 she became the seventh member of the LPGA Hall of Fame. What makes this a more interesting fact is that Kathy is also a seven-time winner of the LPGA Player of the Year and a seven-time winner of the Vare Trophy. Not only is she a LPGA Hall of Fame inductee she is also an inductee of the World Golf Halls of Fame, New Mexico Hall of Fame, Texas Sports and Golf Hall of Fame and the Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Fame.

In 1981 she became the first player in the history of the LPGA to surpass the $1 million mark in career earnings. In 2005, after competing in the BJ’s Charity Classic, she officially retired from competitive golf.
 

Julieta Granda is a millionaire, becoming the LPGA winner of the first $1 million dollar prize in women’s golf. Not bad for a rookie.

She first started playing golf at the age of 4. She later moved to Florida to get professional schooling at the David Ledbetter Golf Academy for her golf game.

Julieta was a member of the Canon Cup Team in 2002 and 2003. 

From 2001 to 2004 she was named to the AJGA All-American Team. In 2004 she was named the Athlete of the Year in Paraguay, as well as being the individual champion at the 2004 World Amateur Team Championship. Adding to her accomplishments in 2004 Julieta was named the 2004 American Junior Golf Association Rolex Player of the Year.
In June of 2005 Julieta turned professional. Julieta was disappointed at herself for finishing second in her professional debut at the Futures Tour Tournament. In August of 2005 she won the YWCA Futures Classic. A statement to many that she had finally done what she set out to do, win. Julieta also tied for sixth place at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament Presented by American Airlines to earn exempt status for the 2006 LPGA Tour and begin her official Rookie year.

Thus far in 2006 she has 30 starts, 7 top 10 finishes and 1 victory. That one victory at the ADT Championship at Trump International made her 2006 earnings $1,633,586, making money no longer a worry. Julieta and her mother can now ditch the bikes and once again rent cars for more than just tournaments. 

 If there is a golfer in your life then you will find our guide of online golf store reviews indespensible. We have combed golf websites for you this season and found some nuggets. Our research allows you more time for shopping instead of surfing. Clicking on images or highlighted text will take you to the merchants site. We hope you find shopping online this holiday season as fulfilling as ever.

	The Golf Collection has the best gift selection on the web. Our top pick this holiday season and will become your favorite year round go-to site for golf gifts and golf accessories. The selection is incredible. You will quickly find choosing that perfect gift for the special golfer in your life this season will be easier than ever before. The Golf Collection - Golf Accessories & Gifts
	Founded in 1963, Austad's is one of the most respected names in golf. Still a family owned business, Austad’s has helped over 6 million golfers enjoy their game more. They carry all the major brands like Callaway, Titleist, Ping, Ashworth, TaylorMade and many more. Be sure to visit the women's golf section of their extensive catalog. Austad's Golf
	Golf Shoes Only is the web presence of Golf Shoe Centers of America, the largest golf shoe store in the United States! Based in the "Golf Capital of the World," Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, they are dedicated to providing the best possible service and prices on Foot-Joy, Etonic, and Nike footwear. Their volume buying gives them the ability to serve you with the lowest prices.  GolfShoesOnly.com- Golf Footwear from the Top Brands
	At Design it Youself cutom Golf Gift Baskets are loaded up with real golf gear and golf accessories. These are the same quality golf products you’ll find at your local Golf Pro Shop: Ripstixx Golf Tees, the Swing Sock golf swing trainer, Nike golf balls, Golf Water Bottles and Koozies, the Rules of Golf Booklets, Golf club Headcovers, Golf Towels, golf divot tools, and lots more! Design It Yourself Gift Baskets

Having 20 starts, 3 victories, 16 top 10 finishes, and earning of $1,971,741, 2006 was quite a year for [tag-tec]Annika Sorenstam[/tag-tec].

She first played golf at the age of 12. She was a member of the Swedish National Team from 1987 to 1992. In 1992 she was the World Amateur champion and runner-up at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.

In 1993 Annika competed in 3 [tag-tec]LPGA[/tag-tec] events before joining the Tour and earning more than $47,000. In 1994 she was the Rolex Rookie of the Year with three top-10 finishes. In 1996 she won three tournaments, defended her titles at the U.S. Women’s Open and Samsung World Championship and crossed the $1million mark in career earnings. In 1997 she captured six titles- the Chrysler-Plymouth Tournament of Champions, Cup Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Open, Longs Drug Challenge, Michelob Light Classic, CoreStates Betsy King Classic, and the ITT LPGA Tour Championship. She also crossed the $2 million mark in career earnings in 1997. In 1998 she crossed the $3 million mark and won her third Rolex Player of Year and third Vare Trophy. In 1999 she crossed the $4 million mark and in the 90’s won more LPGA tournaments than any other Tour player (18).

Since 2000 she has continued to win and sometimes dominate. She has won over $18 million in career earnings, won eight Rolex Player of the Year awards, and in 2005 won her sixth Vare Trophy. Not only can she play golf she can represent golf with names such as Callaway Golf, Lexus, Oakley, Cutter & Bock, Rolex, Kraft, ADT  and Ginn Clubs & Resorts.

[tag-tec]Julieta Granada[/tag-tec]  wins the ADT Championship final round today at the Trump International Golf Course. [tag-tec]Lorena Ochoa[/tag-tec] wins second and [tag-tec]Karrie Webb[/tag-tec] places third.

On the line was the largest check in [tag-tec]LPGA[/tag-tec] history, One Million Dollars.  The LPGA has come a long way indeed.

The [tag-tec]ADT Championship[/tag-tec] used a format never before seen on any tour. They played the first three rounds in stroke play and the top eight lowest scores advanced to the final round. Once qualified for the final round the player’s previous scores were erased and play started over.  They effectively started a new tournament between eight players battling for the largest check ever seen on the [tag-ice]LPGA[/tag-ice]. This format has merit and may show itself again on tour.

Granada’s short history on the LPGA tour started just two years ago after playing on the futures tour. Starting out Julieta did not have enough money too afford a caddie. She asked her mom, Rosa, if she would continue to caddie for her. Her mom was there all weekend by Julieta’s side lugging around that big staff golf bag. Rosa must be the proudest caddie that ever lived.

Julieta celebrated her twentieth birthday this weekend along with Natalie Gulbis who turned twenty five. Gulbis finished this season with the indubious title of earning more money than anyone in the history of LPGA golf without a victory.

Scores were close all day and while Granada was putting on the eighteenth green Ochoa and Webb were teeing off the par three, 169 yard, seventeenth. Granada was leading Ochoa by one stroke and Webb by two. With water on both sides of the green and a million dollars up for grab the pressure showed. Webb knocked it into water on the right and Ochoa follows knocking it in on the left side. Both make one putt saving bogies but it was all over unless Lorena eagled the eighteenth. Not this time.

On the eighteenth Granada dropped a long two putt and finished the day at -4, (68) for the win. In the post game interview Julieta mentioned an email she received this morning from her instructor, David Leadbetter telling her, “Relax, it’s not your million dollars you’re betting out there.” Winning a million dollars moved Granada from sixteenth on the season ending money list to fourth overall. A fine week’s work.

Lorena Ochoa finishes the season winning Player of the Year, Leading Money Winner, and Lowest Season Scoring Average. It was quite an impressive year for this LPGA star from Guadalajara, Mexico. Karrie Webb finishes second on the money list and Annika Sorenstam third.

[tag-tec]Alice Bauer[/tag-tec] was one of the 13 founders of the [tag-tec]LPGA[/tag-tec] at the age of 22. Not only was she a founding member she was a mom. She was one of the first to take her children on tour with her. Before the [tag-ice]LPGA[/tag-ice] she was voted South Dakota’s Outstanding Woman Athlete of the Year and won the South Dakota Amateur title at the age of 14. Being a mom was Alice’s highest priority and this limited her play on Tour. This being said, it didn’t stop her from turning professional in 1950. In 1955 she lost the Heart of America tournament title in a playoff to [tag-tec]Marilynn Smith[/tag-tec]. In 1956 she finished 14th on the season-ending money list. In 2000 she was awarded the 2000 Commissioner’s Award ([tag-tec]LPGA Founder’s[/tag-tec])
Her sister, Marlene Bauer Hagge’s career overshadows Alice’s small career. Marlene was quoted as saying that their father tried to start Alice playing golf at an early age and, finding her interested in other things, thought that he would get hold of her (Marlene) before she had time to become interested in anything else. Even having an interest in other things did not stop Alice from playing and doing rather well in golf.
In March of 2002 Alice passed away from complications connected to colon cancer. Her career money was $26,156.00. We have come a long way baby!