WPGA earns seat at PGA top-table with Loveys’ co-option to main board

03/04/2023

The PGA is delighted to announce Tracey Loveys, winner of the Women's PGA Championship a record four times and Captain of the inaugural Women's PGA Cup team, has joined the Association's board of directors.

Loveys, who has served the WPGA as chair for five years, was co-opted to the PGA board at the Association’s recent AGM.

Loveys said: “It’s an honour for both me and the WPGA and recognition for all the hard work we have been putting in.

“I feel we’ve come a long way in the last three years, have made huge strides since COVID and being able to have a female voice on the board is a huge boost.

“It’s also a big step for me as I’ve got so much to learn, catch up with and take on board, but I’m privileged, proud and very excited.”

Loveys will serve a four-year term on the PGA board, but she will maintain her involvement with the WPGA as a committee member.

However, she has relinquished her role as WPGA chair and will be succeeded by Sarah Bennett.

Bennett, captain of the 2022 Women’s PGA Cup team and WPGA vice-chair for the past four years, has just completed her year as PGA Captain.

Commenting on her new role with the WPGA, she said: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate Tracy on being co-opted to the PGA’s board and thank her for everything she has done to raise the WPGA’s profile.

“She will be a hard act to follow and succeeding her is a huge honour. It comes after a year that has been an exciting chapter for me and a monumental honour in serving as PGA Captain.

“It’s one I believe can never be topped - the memories and feelings will certainly be everlasting and never fade.

“However, 2023 brings a new responsibility with my appointment as WPGA chair after serving as Tracy’s deputy for four years.

“I feel I am well-qualified to continue working with our fantastic committee utilising my 30 years of PGA experience to further advance a variety of new opportunities for women within our Association.

“The visibility and influence of women within it is improving but it’s an on-going process which, with the support from WPGA members and everyone within the golf industry, I am confident we can elevate to greater heights.”

Meanwhile, Alison Nicholas MBE, the 1997 US Women’s Open champion and two-time Solheim Cup captain, has joined the WPGA committee as has Adrienne Engleman.

Engleman, one of Golf Monthly magazine’s Top 50 UK Coaches, has replaced 14-time Ladies European Tour winner Cathy Panton-Lewis who has stood down. In addition to her, Bennett, Loveys and Nicholas, the committee is completed by Heather MacRae, Lynn McCool, and Suzanne Dickens.