BOSTON, Massachusetts – The LPGA announced the winners of the 2025 Gold Driver Awards and even though New England sports fans didn’t exactly embrace the best female golfers in the world teeing it up at TBC Boston August 28-31, the FM Championship earned the award for Tournament of the Year.
The Gold Driver Awards are open to all LPGA Tournaments from the previous season and were voted upon by LPGA Tour players. The 3rd edition of the FM Championship is scheduled back at TPC Boston August 27-30. Chinese rookie Miranda Wang captured her first LPGA title, edging out world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul by one stroke to win.
The 26-year-old Duke alum delivered a clutch performance, finishing at 20-under 268
https://progolfweekly.com/miranda-wang-wins-fm-championship-at-tpc-boston/
“We are proud to recognize and award the recipients of the Gold Driver Awards from this season,” said Casey Ceman, Vice President of Tournament Business Affairs for the LPGA Tour. “Our tour is grateful for not only those who received awards this season but to all our tournament partners that are committed to enhancing the playing experience of our players and the on-site experience of our fans year after year.”
Tournament of the Year: FM Championship
* Highlighted their commitment to rewarding excellence with a record-high purse for a non-major, non-CME Group Tour Championship.
* Helped offset travel costs by providing a $275 Delta flight voucher and covered accommodations for all LPGA athletes in order to help them focus fully on their performance.
* Dedicated $1,000 stipend for all players missing the cut, recognizing their effort and dedication.
* Elevated player experience off the course with a pro-am pairings party hosted at Gillette Stadium, home of the
* New England Patriots, and expanded from one to two player dinners on Thursday and Friday, featuring a classic New England surf-and-turf menu, live band, magician and photo booth.
* Provided BMW courtesy cars for the top-30 Race to the CME Globe-ranked players throughout the tournament week.
Tournament winners include:
Best Host Club: Pelican Golf Club (The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican)
* Immaculate course conditions, greens and practice facilities throughout the week with exceptional hospitality from members and staff.
* State-of-the-art fitness facility on-site and available for LPGA athletes providing a convenient and professional training environment.
* Elevated culinary experience, offering high-quality dining throughout the event.
Best Player Experience: AIG Women’s Open
* Provided world-class amenities throughout the week featuring premium dining for players, caddies and two guests in the player clubhouse with gaming stations featuring ping pong, darts and more.
* Medical rooms were on-site, offering doctor access and skin screen services.
* Player locker rooms included a wellness lounge, ice bath, beautician services, recovery stations and a champions corner.
* Performance area with a player gym staffed by a dedicated female strength and conditioning team, private physio space, sauna, and tour truck for physiotherapy and sports massage.
* Additional amenities included a male caddie locker room, courtesy car desk, concierge and player services.
* Full hospitality support from arrival to departure, with an R&A team and on-site research staff focused on continuous improvement of the player experience.
Best Community Engagement: Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G
* The #NWAChampionship has grown into a week-long community celebration with 40+ events – from food and wellness activities to youth programs and a charitable 5K – uniting Northwest Arkansas through golf.
* Record 1,600 runners in the 5K benefitting Mercy Hospital, 150 kids joined “Yoga for Kids” with LPGA pro Benedetta Moresco and 1,500 attendees at the Walmart Women’s Empowerment Summit featuring Katie Ledecky, Gaby Lopez and Shauna Taylor.
* BITE NWA Food Festival had 1,500 attendees and 40-plus local vendors, supporting NWA Equality and the Food Bank.
* Raised $20,000 for the local Children’s Hospital with Play Yellow; LPGA Tour players spent an afternoon visiting with patients and handing out toys.
* Donated 16,000-plus pounds of food after weather cancellations.
* Partnered with Open Avenues to provide jobs for people with disabilities through event bag assembly.
* Hosted Dream Big Experience for 15 underserved students exploring careers in sports.
* Local charities staffed concessions and benefitted from event proceeds.
* Hosted the Walmart and P&G Kids Confidence Club, where 1,500 children enjoyed STEM, sports, play activities and field trips, reinforcing the event’s commitment to youth confidence and inclusion. The activation kids off the year-round Choose Confidence program in local Arkansas elementary schools.
Best Tournament Branding: Maybank Championship
* The 2025 Maybank Championship transformed Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club into an immersive brand experience.
* On-Site: 2,000+ assets and 2 kilometers of visuals turned the venue into a bold yellow “Maybank theme park,” featuring recycled tiger art and 13 tiger installations.
* Broadcast: Interactive polls and digital tiger animations delivered subtle, energetic branding on global feeds.
Off-Site: City-wide visibility through geo-targeted out-of-home digital, a mobile showcase, premium media, 600-plus TV spots and Japanese-language outreach.
* Social: Engagement surged—Instagram followers up 96.6% to 10.2K, driven by younger fans.
Best Sponsor Activation: Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give
* J. Brewer’s | Frederik’s: 45,000-square-foot structure featuring local restaurants, breweries, sponsors, and Meijer’s select vendors, including their premium product line Frederik’s. Across the three days, guests enjoyed food and beverages from over 80 partners, a 100-foot full-service bar, and the Frederik’s coffee and dessert bar; new in 2025, J. Brewer’s | Frederik’s guests could enjoy a 1,000-square-foot covered patio for premier viewing of the No. 4 fairway.
* Simply Give: The 2025 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give exceeded its goal raising $1.5 Million to help stock the shelves of hundreds of food pantries across the Midwest. Since its inception, the tournament, in tandem with its 140 sponsors, has raised over $13 Million for the hunger relief program. The 2025 Meijer LPGA Classic recorded its highest attendance record to date.
* Kraft Heinz Pavilion: New in 2025, the Kraft Heinz Pavilion featured an all-inclusive food and beverage experience with premier golf views located between 17 Green and 18 Tee.
Grand Taste Concessions: With four locations throughout the course, fans enjoyed high-quality food for families, with all items costing $4 or less.
* PepsiCo Club: The PepsiCo Club located on No. 18 Green provided fans with an unforgettable food and beverage experience while witnessing world-class golf.
* Conagra Public Viewing Decks: Meijer LPGA Classic attendees enjoyed premier golf views on the No. 18 Tee and on the No. 18 Green Conagra Public Viewing Decks.
* Meijer LPGA 5K Presented by Kellanova and WK Kellogg Co: The Meijer LPGA 5K hosted more than 700 individuals and their families to run, walk, and roll for a good cause.
* Discovery Land: Located along No. 18 fairway, the open-air kids’ destination was a family favorite featuring kid-friendly activities including the Kimberly Clark Family Care Areas which served as a lactation and diaper changing station with Kimberly Clark proudly supplying families with diaper and baby wipes.
https://www.fmchampionship.com/
