Caroline Lacoste
Co-Founder
- Avid golfer and mom
- Daughter of U.S. Women's Open Champion Catherine Lacoste
- Supporter of the future of women's golf
Empower · Inspire · Elevate
They earned a spot on the LPGA Tour. Let's make sure they can get to the show.
The Rookie Foundation supports LPGA Rookies through the spring that decides their career. They mentor the next generation of girls in return.
Our mission
To support the future of women's golf by empowering and inspiring young players through education, mentorship and clinics.
The problem
6 in 10 Rookies lose full status after one season
Share of each Rookie class that finished in the top 100 of the Race to the CME Globe and kept full playing status for the next season. Sources: LPGA Rookie lists; Golf News Net top-100 lists, 2022–2025; Tony Jesselli, WomensGolf.com (2012–2019).
41%
of Rookies kept full status after their first season (44 of 108, 2022–2025 classes)
79%
of those who kept it held full status again in year two (26 of 33, 2022–2024 classes)
The first season is the hurdle. Support that gets a Rookie over it has a lasting effect.
The season
A Rookie's success is determined by May
- Jan – FebA late startEarly events have limited fields. Most Rookies can't play until March.
- Mar – MayThe deciding windowThe May reshuffle re-ranks Rookies by points earned. If she can climb, she plays almost every event.
- Jul – AugStatus locks inThe second reshuffle sets her access for the rest of the year.
- Sep – NovThe door closesFall events have limited fields. Bubble Rookies are usually done.
In 2024 and 2025, not one Rookie who climbed 30 or more spots on the priority list in May lost her card. Source: LPGA priority lists and reshuffle lists, 2024 and 2025.
The gap
The spring that decides a Rookie's career is the three-month stretch she can least afford to play.
What it costs
Competing from March to May costs a Rookie about
$55,000
$4,950per tournament week, typical
$31K – $88Krange, lean to full-support budget
~$7,150average prize money per event just to break even
One typical tournament week
On top of that, March–May
- ~$10,500 for coaching, fitness, insurance and a CPA
- ~$3,150 extra for an Asia trip
- 15.3% self-employment tax on any winnings, with the first estimated payment due April 15
Out of pocket, before taxes and prize money. Assumes 8 events (7 in North America, 1 in Asia). Typical-case figures from the Rookie Foundation cost model; coaching, fitness and CPA costs are planning estimates. Sources: Boston Globe, Golf Raw, Golf Monthly, Athlete Advisor Match (2026).
PGA Tour vs. LPGA Tour
PGA Rookies have a safety net. LPGA Rookies are on their own.
| For a Rookie | PGA Tour | LPGA Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed season income (2023–2025) | $500,000 | None |
| Cash in hand before the first start | ~$400,000 | $0 |
| If they lose full status (2026) | $150,000 | $0 |
| Missed-cut payment | $5,000 per cut* | Only at some events |
| Earnings at 100th on the money list (2024) | $1.6 million | $209,000 |
| Retirement plan | Funded for every cut made | Only from Tour surplus |
A PGA Rookie's ~$400,000 up front is about 7× an LPGA Rookie's entire March–May budget.
The PGA Tour is revising its guarantee for 2026. *Players without full status. Sources: NBC Sports/AP (2023); Golf Channel (2025); CBS Sports (2022); Golf365 (2024 earnings); Athlete Advisor Match (2026); Perfect Putt.
Our model
The Rookie Foundation has a multi-layered approach to supporting the future of women's golf
The Rookies
Each year, we will select at least two Rookies whose values align with our mission.Financial support
Covers each selected Rookie's March–May season so she can compete and focus during the most critical stretch.Holistic support
We provide mentorship and career resources tailored to each Rookie throughout the year.Pay it forward
Through speaking engagements and junior girls' golf mentorship events, the Rookies will inspire, empower and elevate the next generation.How your gift works
SelectionThe selection committee picks two Rookies from each new class based on financial need, competitive promise and commitment to mentoring.
Where it goesEach Rookie is paid as a 1099 contractor to take part in junior golf clinics, speaking engagements and mentoring.
Comprehensive programOur goal is to raise enough to build a full clinic and mentoring program for both the Rookies and junior girls.
Founding donor honorsWe will recognize all Founding Donors on our website and promotional materials, and report impact statistics annually.
February 2027 First Rookies selected for the 2027 LPGA season
Who we are
The women behind The Rookie Foundation
Francesca Lanpher
Co-Founder
- Avid golfer, mom and attorney
- Supporter of the future of women's golf
Kathryn Imrie
Selection Committee
- Former LPGA and LET player
- Solheim Cup Vice Captain
- LPGA Professional and golf instructor
Beth Allen
Selection Committee
- Former LPGA and LET player
- LPGA Professional
- Assistant Coach, University of San Francisco Women's Golf
Ways to give
Become a Founding Donor
$1M
Founding fund goalThese Rookies earned a spot to compete with the most elite players in the world. Every founding gift moves us toward this goal.
$110,000
Grand Slam
Give
Funds two Rookies' spring seasons
Everything in the Major Champion level, for both of the year's Rookies.
- Major Champion$55,000Funds one Rookie's spring
- Albatross$35,000Seven North American tournament weeks
- Eagle$25,000Five tournament weeks
- Birdie$15,000Caddie fees and entry fees for all eight weeks
- Par$10,000Two tournament weeks
- Fairway$5,000One tournament week
- Caddy$2,500One week of caddie fees
- Rookie$1,000Five tournament entry fees
One tournament week ($4,950): caddie $1,700 · hotel, 6 nights $1,200 · flight $800 · rental car $450 · meals $450 · entry fee $200 · physio $150
Donate now
Every gift, at any level, makes you a Founding Donor. Amounts are rounded to the nearest giving level, based on typical 2026 costs in the Rookie Foundation cost model.
Would you like to give before online giving opens? Email Francesca Lanpher at fmlanpher@therookiefoundation.org
The Rookie Foundation is able to accept donations that are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3).
For LPGA Rookies
Apply for support in your 2027 season
Each year we select at least two LPGA Rookies. We cover the cost of competing from March through May, and give you mentorship and career resources all year. In return, you'll run junior girls' clinics and speak at our events.
- Who can applyPlayers with LPGA Tour membership in their Rookie season.
- How we chooseFinancial need, competitive promise and commitment to mentoring, reviewed by our selection committee of former LPGA and LET players.
- WhenFirst Rookies selected by February 2027, before the season's deciding spring.