All events, including the Marilynn Smith Sunday Tea, Scholarship Pro-Am and Arizona Senior Women’s Open, were held at the Westin Kierland Golf Club, Scottsdale, Arizona, a Troon-managed facility.
This year’s tournament honoree was Juli Inkster, a two-time winning Solheim Cup Captain, winner of 31 LPGA Tour events, including seven majors, and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
The Marilynn Smith Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to female students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and extraordinary community involvement and are committed to play collegiate golf.
Since its inception in 1999, the Fund has awarded $1,495,000 in scholarships to 289 women.
The Marilynn Smith Sunday Tea was the first of the three events. It featured the Golf It Forward Museum, Jane Crafter interviewing honoree Juli Inkster, and a community expo.
After Monday’s Scholarship Pro-Am, 40 2-member teams from 26 states and Canada competed for a $100,000 purse in the 4th annual Marilynn Smith Arizona Senior Women’s Open.
Barb Moxness and Christa Johnson took first place and $15,000. Yvonne Cox-Homes and Tracy Hanson won $12,000 for their second-place finish. The first senior event for LPGA Tour players was hosted by Smith in 1988. This championship, in the state she called home for 15 years, is a tribute to Smith and her golf legacy.
To learn more about Golf It Forward, the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Recipients, and the Golf It Forward Museum, email 13Founders@golfitforward.org.