LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In the 2023-24 fiscal year, Girls Golf of America saw our commitment to expanding our impact across the country as new initiatives and partnerships were born. Building on our guiding principle of partnership to foster growth, we strengthened our partnership with the LPGA Foundation, many USGA Allied Golf Associations and new sponsors to execute our mission.
The highlight of the year saw the playing of the Inaugural LPGA*USGA Girls Golf National Championship presented by the PKBGT contested at Pine Needles in June 144 girls from 30+ states and 4 countries experienced a tour-like experience on and off the course, crowning 3 LPGA National Champions. The PKBGT operated the Championship, as well as the nationwide qualification tournaments which brought the 600+ LPGA*USGA Girls Golf sites together. Through leadership and partnership, we guarantee any girl across the country an ability to demonstrate their skill and determination on a national stage!
The 2023-24 season saw the foundation offering over 125 tournaments through the PKBGT across 15 states. Overall, the tour impacted over 2,500 girls and grew to over 1,500 alumnae that earned collegiate golf scholarships. Whether on the Golf Channel with the NB3/PKBGT National Championship, at the 15th PKBGT Invitational, or on a Saturday afternoon at PKBGT Regional developmental series event, the impact of the PKBGT and Girls Golf of America is being felt developing the next generation of girls golfers.
As we look ahead, we strive to be a leader in girls golf by growing the PKBGT while advocating for equity of opportunity for girls across all of our tournament golf.
MIKE PARKER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Board of Directors
Brooke Dever
Parent Comm. Chair
Program and Events Manager
Emilia Migliaccio Doran At-Large Member
NBC Golf Commentator, PKBGT Alumna
Katherine Perry Hamski At-Large Member
UNC-CH Assistant Coach, LPGA Tour & PKBGT Alumna
A Dire Mike Parker Executive Director
PKBGT Tour Director & Co-Founder
Robert Linville PGA ident
hool
Christian ‘CJ’ Johnston Staff Development Manager
GIRLS GOLF OF AMERICA FOUNDATION OVERVIEW
Total Raised
$106K
During this 2023-24 fiscal year, Girls Golf of America saw growth in multiple fundraising sectors, including individual donations, sponsorships and grants 55% of fundraising came through grants and sponsorships with the other 45% in individual gifts Giving made up 9% of foundation revenue, growing towards a goal of 25% within 5 years.
84 Donors
Gifts from generous donors accounted for $48k - a 95% increase from the previous fiscal year We saw an increase in the average donation amongst the 84 total donors With exciting initiatives for the upcoming year and a dedicated development employee, we strive to increase both in the next fiscal year.
Girls Impacted
7,500+
2024 will see the conclusion of the 10-year Let’s Play Campaign and we are very close to our goal of 1,000 tournaments in 10 years As of July 1, 2024, through the PKBGT we’ve operated 950+ tournaments and impacted over 7,500+ girls throughout the 10 years We are excited for what the future holds as girls’ golf continues to grow!
BOTTOM (Left to Right): Jess Proulx (Operations Intern), Erika Proulx (Tournament Director/Regional Series Manager), Ashton Angst (Tournament & Marketing Coordinator), Mike Basirico (Tournament Coordinator), Ellen Lavoie (National Tournament Director), Grace Holcomb (Operations Intern) TOP (Left to Right): Jeff Stewart (Marketing & Communications Manager), Christian "CJ" Johnston (Development Manager), Kevin Hamski (Associate Tour Director), Mike Parker (Executive Director/Tour Director)
PKBGT MEMBERSHIP AT A GLANCE
The Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour has a wide array of backgrounds and ages that compete, grow, and learn the game of golf with us These girls represent our members and what we envision with the PKBGT and Girls Golf of America: equity of opportunity for girls to compete in tournaments and create meaningful connections with other girls in the sport
Below is a snapshot that illustrates our age breakdown, ethnicity makeup, and geographical footprint that identifies our membership As we grow we will continue to break down barriers and provide access to more girls across the United States In the past year, we’ve added three additional states and 200+ members!
2023 PKBGT Regional Highlights
In the 2023 season, the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour hosted 61 regional series tournaments in 7 regions across the eastern United States. Storie Apparel, a brand focused on women’s golf apparel, returned for a seventh consecutive year as the title sponsor for our regional series Order of Merit races
Some of our most remarkable players of the season include Gabriella Collelo, the North Carolina Futures Series winner, who collected 5 wins and 188.75 points — more than anyone else in any regional series. Next is Sloan McKinney, the South Carolina Discovery Series winner with 3 wins and 51 points, who placed either first or second in every South Carolina event she played
Similarly, Meredith Finger won the Delaware Valley Prep Series with 4 wins and 69 5 points by placing either first or second in every Delaware Valley event she played Madison Meng won the New Jersey Discovery Series with the most points out of any division in the New Jersey Series at 32 Sibling duo Lilly and Rose Hall dominated the Middle Atlantic Prep and Futures divisions respectively, earning a combined 275 5 points and 5 wins As the only one to score over 100 points in the Georgia Series, Koiki Miyagi was the Georgia Futures Series winner at 104 points and 4 wins Lastly, Lyla Hardesty won the Kentucky Discovery Series by placing first at all three events she played in the series
7th Annual Linville Cup
An annual PKBGT staple, the 7th Annual Linville Cup Leadership & Team Match Play event brought the top Storie Apparel Order of Merit players from the 2023 PKBGT Regional Series. Players represent one of 6 regions, allowing girls to join together in a whirlwind of team-building exercises and fun match play.
Each team was led by two mentor coaches, made up of PKBGT alumnae and women business leaders. The Linville Cup’s modifiedalternate shot format allows players a chance to work together towards the common goal of lifting the Linville Cup above their heads at the end of the long weekend.
After a playoff with the Middle Atlantic team, NC East, coached by Emilia Migliaccio-Doran and Leslie Cloots, affectionately selfdubbed the “Beast of the East”, hoisted the trophy among teammates and friends.
2023 PKBGT National Highlights
ThePeggyKirkBellNationalSeriesreadiesplayersforthefutureofthegamepastjuniortournaments.Through theprogressionofthreevaryinglevels,ourBellNational,PrepPreviewandFuturesNationaldivisions,playerscan steadilydeveloptheirskillsthroughtheincreasinglydifficultyardagestopreparethemforcollegiategolfand beyond Playerscompeteintheyear-roundseriestobenamedtheOrderofMeritchampion ManyplayershadexceptionalperformancesthroughouttheseasoninadditiontoourOrderofMeritchampoins below AnnaHowerton,aHighPointUniversitycommit,claimedvictoriesatthePKBGTOpenChampionshipand the14thPeggyKirkBellJunior.HeatherAppelsonwonattheKatherinePerryHamskiTraditionafterfiveplayoff holes.InherlastPKBGTeventbeforegraduating,MacyPatewonthe14thPKBGTInvitational,withanimpressive 6-under66inthefirstround.Yetagain,KathrynHawonthePKBGTTourChampionship,makingitathree-peat!
The2023BellNationalPKBGTOrderofMeritChampionwasDurham,NC nativeEmersonB Dever TheUNCChapelHillcommitendedtheseasonwith 8top-10finishesandanoutstanding497.25points.Oftheteneventsplayed inthe2023season,Emersonclinchedrunner-upinthreeofthematthe KatherinePerryHamskiTradition,thePrecisionJuniorGirlsChampionshipand thePKBGTTourChampionship.
TheBellNationalOrderofMeritrunner-upwasVidhiLakhawalaofKendall Park,NJ,whoearnedfivetop-10finishesoutofthesixnationaleventsshe playedin.MacieRasmussenendedtheseasoninthirdwithhertwowinsatthe ColonialClassicandtheCommonwealthGirlsClassic.
Prep Preview
Afterclaimingthe2022FuturesNationalPKBGTOrderofMerit,RileyGrimm wonthe2023PrepPreviewOrderofMeritChampion ThePinehurst,NC nativeendedtheseasonwiththreewinsatthePKBGTNationalTournament ofChampions,thePKBGTMastersandthePKBGTOpenChampionship.
Runner-upMalerieLagueofHuntersville,NC finishedthe2023seasonwith fourtop-10finishesoutofthefiveeventsplayedinthisdivision Similarly, WhitePlains,Md.nativeAspenBikowskisecuredthirdwithfourtop-10 finishesoutofthefiveeventssheplayed
Futures National
The2023FuturesNationalPKBGTOrderofMeritChampionwasIraJoshiof Pinehurst,NC Joshitookhomefirstinfouroutofthefiveeventssheplayed inthisdivision,claimingsecondatthefifth.
Lessthan20pointsbehindJoshiisrunner-upSydneyDinhofFairfax,Va, wholandedseventop-10finishesofthenineeventsplayedinthisdivision, includingonefirstplacefinish.Yetagain,AspenBikowskiclaimedthirdbut fortheFuturesNationaldivision,withonefirstplacewinandfourothertop-5 finishesinthisdivision
Bell National
IMPACT STORY:
ADITI & VIDHI LAKHAWALA
VIDHI LAKHAWALA
Thanks to the expansion of the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour past its original focus on the Carolinas, players from across the country, like Vidhi Lakhawala, have had the opportunity to take part in the tour’s fun, friendly atmosphere. From Kendall Park, N.J., Vidhi has enjoyed national events up and down the east coast since she began playing on the tour in 2021.
At her first two events in 2021, the Mid-Atlantic Girls Championship and the Dupont Girls Classic, Vidhi claimed first, cementing her place among the tour. In the last season alone, she claimed runnerup in the Bell National PKBGT Order of Merit. We look forward to seeing her continue to grow and challenge herself both on and off the course Off the course Vidhi makes an impact on girls’ golf through the PKBGT Player Council
“I always look forward to playing in PKBGT events because of the positive environment and people I am surrounded by. I want to help young girls have the same positive experience that I continue to have while playing PKBGT events ”
- Vidhi Lakhawala
ADITI LAKHAWALA
Much like her older sister, Aditi Lakhawala has shown immense growth in her game while part of the tour. From her beginnings in the 9-hole developmental Discovery Series in 2021 to her two wins as a regional Futures player last season, Aditi has proven how much time and effort she is willing to put in on and off the course, whether it’s a PKBGT tournament or just a small round played with her sister.
Aditi’s highest ranking thus far was a tie for third in the Futures New Jersey Order of Merit, where she won the only event she played in that division. Throughout her 12 events played through the last three seasons, Aditi has shown great promise, so we’re excited to see just how far she’ll go over the next few years.
“Playingsomeofthehighleveltournaments hashelpedmeimprovemygameandalso helpsmeunderstandwhichaspectsofmy gameneedsmorework.”
-AditiLakhawala
Girls Golf of America provides financial assistance to players in need to develop their game and compete in tournaments We offer our Inspire. Dream. Achieve. Grants to help any player identified with a financial need have the necessary funds to cover entry and membership fees
Players are provided financial grants to cover membership and tournament entry fees. Typical grants cover 50% of tournament entry fees and range from $250 to $500 per season. Additional assistance is provided for players needing greater assistance. We strive to break down any barriers by providing a junior girl golfer opportunities to develop, grow, and compete in a golf tour like the PKBGT
FIRST TOURNAMENT FREE VOUCHER
Additionally, girl golfers who have interest in joining the tour have the opportunity to play their first regional, developmental tournament for free with our First Tournament Free Voucher This program is a tremendous way to allow girls to dip their toes in an all-girls, friendly tournament atmosphere
GirlsGolfofAmericaguidedthedevelopmentandoperationoftheInauguralLPGA*USGAGirlsGolfNational Championshipandanationwidequalificationprocess WithsupportofnumerousLPGATourplayersand LPGA*USGAGirlsGolfsites,qualifierswereheldacrossthecountrytoidentifydeservinggirlsgolfers
HostedinJune2024atthehistoricPineNeedlesLodge&GC,144girlsfrom30+statesand4countries competedacross3divisions PresentingsponsorMarieBirdiewelcomedplayersandparentsalikewithtables, minigamesandmore Thisentireeventwouldn’tbepossiblewithoutoursponsors,Featherie,LiveinLove, BirdieBalou,DigStixx,LIVPUR,SwingScribe,RangeGoatGolfandtheZollarFamilyFoundation
FromBurlington,Kentucky,ReaganRamagebroughtexcitementtotheinauguralteeshot,statingafterwards thatitwas“reallyspecial,”andsheenjoyedthethoughtofpeople100yearsfromnowdiscussinghowshewas grantedthehonorofhittingtheteeshotfor“atournamentthatwillprobablygoonforaverylongtime”
Comingdowntothewireduringthethirdround,boththeBellandFuturesNationaldivisions’championswonby eithera1or2strokemargin,respectively,withRileyGrimmtakingfirstintheBellNationaldivisionat213(-3) andAnnaWuclaimingfirstintheFuturesNationaldivisionwithathree-daytotalof215(-1) Withonlytwo roundsofplay,theDiscoverydivisionfinishedtheeventadayearly,withMadelynDickersonbringinghomefirst afterabirdieintheon-courseplayoffagainstAngelinaChang,endingthetournamentwithaneven-par72
Sarah Schmelzel
Alexis Belton Gerina Mendoza
Lizette Salas
Emma Talley
Katherine Perry Hamski
IMPACT STORY: KATHRYN HA
AgreatexampleofthehardworkandtremendouseffortourplayersputintothegameofgolfisKathrynHaof Roanoke,Virginia.Joiningthetourinthe2019seasonasaFuturesplayer,KathrynhasgrownintoathreetimeBellNationalchampionatthePKBGTTourChampionship Earlyon,Kathrynmadeanameforherselfby winningtheValleyJuniorGirlsOpentwice,aswellas8otherregionalandnationalevents,includingthe2020 CommonwealthClassicandthe2020Mid-AtlanticGirlsChampionship.
After60eventsplayedinthelastfiveseasons,Kathrynhasrisenthroughtheranks,provingherworthasa skilledgolferandwonderfulcompetitor In2023,KathrynhadthehonorofrepresentingtheUnitedStatesat theJuniorSolhiemCupinBenahavís,Spain.
“Enjoy the journe decide to pursue
Kathryn’s favorite memory while playing on the PKBGT:
“My favorite memory is my hole out on the second playoff hole at the 2021 PKBGT Tour Championship
I’ve never felt as on top of the world as I did in that moment. Being a young face and just trying to scratch out a breakthrough win, that moment really changed things in a the positive direction for me ”
What Kathryn is looking forward to in her next chapter:
“I’m looking forward to seeing how far I can go in this game I’ve always dreamed of going pro, but I value my education so that will definitely be the priority in college. Also, I can’t wait to get on campus and have built-in sisters on the golf team from the PKBGT! I just want to truly thank PKBGT for all they’ve done and continue to do to elevate girls’ golf, and I certainly can’t wait to see the young talent leave their own mark and legacy on this amazing sport.”
PKBGT PLAYER COUNCIL
ThePeggyKirkBellGirls’GolfToureLeaderPlayerCouncilwasformedin2023toprovideasoundingboardfor activePKBGTmembersintheoperationfothetour.ThePlayerCounciliscomprisedof12girlsfromtheTourthat representsourregions(DellawareValley,MiddleAtlantic,NorthCarolina,SouthCarolina,Georgia&Florida).
Inthefirstyear,thePlayerCounciladvisedthePKBGTonhowtoenhancethetournamentexperienceand outreachtogirlstojointheTour.PlayerCouncilinitiativesconsistedofapoolpartyatthePKBGTTour Championship,longestdrivecompetitions,closesttothepinandafundraisinginitiativeforgirlstoearndonations foreverybirdietheymakeatPKBGTevents
We’reexcitedtocontinuegrowingthisinitiativetoprovideplayerswithleadershipandmentoringexperiencein thesecondyear
InJanuary2024,GirlsGolfofAmericaintroducedtheGGAParentCommitteetoallowPKBGTparentsvoicestobe heardandincreaseadvocacyamongstakeystakeholderinthePKBGT’ssuccess TheGGArecognizedaneedto getthecommunityinvolvedtogenerateadditionalresourcestosupportthegrowthofgirls’golf.Afteranapplication period,aLeadershipPanelwasselectedtoleadParentCommittee.
ThesemembersnowsupportandhelpcreateinitiativestoexpandGirlsGolfofAmerica. Byincreasingthereachof foundationbyengagingtheparentsofPKBGTparticipants,weseektocreateadditionalopportunitiesforgirlsin golf.Additionally,theGirlsGolfofAmericaBoardofDirectorsvotedtoaddthePresidentoftheParentCommitteeas avotingmemberoftheBoardofDirectorsmovingforward
TheLeadershipPanelincludesBrooke&DannyDever(Co-Presidents),JennyGryniewicz(ChairofFundraising),Lisa
IMPACT STORY: RACHEL KUEHN
Rachel began playing on the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour in 2013 as a Futures National player In her first season as a Bell National player, Rachel won first twice, a first in her career thus far Her wins at the 2016 PKBGT Tiger Classic at Clemson University and the 2016 PKBGT Invitational landed her in second in the PKBGT Bell National Order of Merit Her third win in her time with the PKBGT came in the 2018 season at the 2017 PKBGT National Tournament of Champions at Pinehurst #8.
Over the six seasons she spent with PKBGT, Rachel learned to not only grow her game, but also her connections to fellow players. We remain incredibly grateful that Rachel was able to flourish as a junior golfer well enough to guide her to where she is today, alongside all of the friends she made along the way. We look forward to seeing just how far she’ll go as she progresses both her golf skill and as a person.
Rachel is one of the best illustrations of a PKBGT alumna rising to the top of competitive golf. Her list of awards and accolades seemingly spans a mile long from her time as an undergraduate and graduate student at Wake Forest. With her mother being a Hall of Fame golfer at Wake Forest University, Rachel had quite the big shoes to fill, but her performances since her arrival at college have proven that she is capable of handling anything thrown her way.
During her time at Wake Forest University, Rachel has received many honors totaling 21 including, but not all, five-time Arnold Palmer Cup (2020-2024), four-time All-ACC Team (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), two-time ACC Women's Golfer of the Year (2022-23), and the 2023 ACC Women's Golf Scholar Athlete of the Year. Rachel currently ranks 8th and has been as high as 4th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
“The most important thing at the end of the day is how you treat people and how you make people feel when they’re around you. Just remembering that everyone is dealing with something, so be kind to people and they’ll be kind to you in return.” - Rachel Kuehn
PKBGT College Commitments
Class of 2024
Over the 17 years, the PKBGT has provided a venue for aspiring collegiate athletes to develop and showcase their skills to collegiate coaches We are thrilled that so many have used this platform to fulfill their dreams, including over 1,500 members who signed or committed to continue collegiate golf. In the Class of 2024, over 100 girls signed! We look forward to seeing these new alumnae continue their high performance at the next level.
FINANCES IN FOCUS
The2023-2024fiscalyearfortheGirlsGolfofAmericafoundationrepresentedaninvestmentinthegrowthof thefoundationandincreaseinscopeofouroperations TheBoardofDirectorsapprovedanambitiousbudget whichexpectedtospend$75,000morethanitbroughtinasinvestmentsweremadeinstaffingupgradesto assistinincreasedoperationsanddevelopmentmanagement
Theseinvestmentsincreasedserviceandfundraising,includinga34%infoundationrevenuewitha26% increasetogrants/fundraising Withafull-timestaffof8,thePKBGTteamwasabletoincreaseserviceacross thecountry.Atfiscalyearend,thebudgetreflecteda$54,707loss,37%lessthanbudgeted.Forthenext fiscalyear,weaimtomaketheyearlybudgetrevenueneutralthroughincreasedsponsorshipandfundraising.
REVENUE
Looking Ahead with Girls Golf of America
Summer 2024
Junior-Am & PKBGT Hall of Fame
On August 8, during the PKBGT Tour Championship weekend at Pine Needles, we will host our inaugural Elevate Her Game Junior-Am followed by the PKBGT Hall of Fame Support these initatives and watch our first class of alumnae get inducted!
Fall 2024
Fall Collection Series & Giving Tuesday
This fall we will debut new PKBGT apparel that you will be able to acquire through donating to Girls Golf of America Join us on Tuesday, December 3rd this year to make a gift to Girls Golf of America and receive a limited edition PKBGT apparel for your gift. Support us and make a difference in girls’ golf!
Winter 2024
8th Annual Linville Cup
In January of 2025, the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour will host the 8th Annual Linville Cup. Named after founder, Robert Linville, top players from PKBGT Regional Series compete on teams captained by PKBGT alumnae, LPGA professionals and business leaders
Spring 2024
PKBGT Founder’s Day
On March 24th, 2025, we will spend a day celebrating the PKBGT & Girls Golf in America, while driving meaningful initiatives to gain support and give back to girls' golf We strive to celebrate the history while establishing grants for the future
Does your company offer donation matching or interested in sponsoring an event or outreach initiative? Contact our Development Manager for sponsorship and partnership inquiries at giving@girlsgolfofamerica org
American Golf Industry Coalition
LPGA Foundation
Womens Golfers Give Back
Bodge Family
Mathers Construction Team
McGowan Family
John Royce
$100-$2,499
ANNIKA Foundation
Arnold Family
Arnold & Smith PLLC
Marty Ashley
Beddow Family
Charles Choe
Coffren Family
Dever Family
Karen Dever
Mary & Jeff DeLoach
Donnelly Physical Therapy
Chiric Emanuels
Eric Eshelman
Fairway Services
Lauren Gavaris
Greenberg Family
Ha Family
Bob Haarlow
Eric Hackett
Hannant Family
Devin Hinton
Charlene Johnson
Kim & Tim Johnston
Knights Play Golf Center
Sherene Lague
Dongwook Lee
Gina Lee
LeBlanc Family
Robert Linville
Maffitt Family Fund
Massengill Family
Messimer Family
Sciacca Family
April Messimer
Moffett Family
Arvind Narasimhan
O’Brien Family
Cheryl Perry
Pitts Family
Bret Sinak
Kathleen Sinak
Gwen Smyth
Gina Sorrentino
Mimi Strandberg
Ubbing Family
VA Composites, Inc.
Madison Woodrum
Julia Yu
