Sept. 27 event will benefit the KW88 Gift Award, helping promising young female professionals pursue their dreams
TROPHY CLUB, Texas — Save the date for a special afternoon celebrating the life and legacy of one of golf’s greatest champions.
The 2026 Kathy Whitworth 88 Gifting Gala will be held Sunday, Sept. 27 at Trophy Club Country Club — fittingly, on what would be Kathy Whitworth’s birthday.
This year’s event will take on a new, more relaxed and personal format, bringing together friends and supporters of the KW88 Gift Award for an afternoon devoted to celebrating Whitworth and continuing her commitment to helping young women pursue their goals in professional golf.
The afternoon will begin with cocktails from 4 to 5 p.m., with complimentary beer and wine and a cash bar available for spirits. An upscale cookout and brief program will follow from 5 to 6 p.m. From 6 to 7 p.m., guests will have an opportunity to take part in a special putting challenge, with plans calling for participants to experience a remarkable piece of golf history — the putter Whitworth used in earning her record-setting 88 professional victories as well as her 95 second-place wins.
The contribution for the 2026 event is $200 per person. The new format is also designed to put an even greater share of each guest’s contribution toward the young women the program was created to support.
Donations to the event are payable to the Kathy Whitworth Foundation, a fully-qualified 501( c )(3). Donations greater than $50 are tax deductible. The KW88 Gift Award is a project of the Foundation.
Kathy Whitworth’s story is one that continues to inspire. A talented young athlete, Kathy nevertheless struggled during her early days of professional competition. When she found herself at a crossroads, her parents and a group of friends committed to giving her financial support for at least three years so she could concentrate on finding success.
She did just that—and eventually became the first woman to reach career earnings of $1 million on the LPGA Tour. She also became the winningest golfer ever —male or female – with 88 professional career wins.
Since its creation, the KW88 Gift Award has provided financial assistance to promising young women as they negotiate the demanding and expensive process of pursuing careers in professional golf and working toward LPGA Tour status.
Additional details, including registration information, are available at the Kathy Whitworth 88 Gifting Gala website at https://kathy-whitworth-88-gifting-gala-2026.perfectgolfevent.com/