The Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton has signed a multiyear agreement with the LPGA to host the LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup, starting with the 2022 tournament on May 9-15.
Teaneck-based Cognizant will remain the title sponsor of the event, which pays tribute to the 13 founding members of the LPGA, including surviving founders Marlene Bauer Hagge and Shirley Spork.
The Cognizant Founders Cup, which was played in New Jersey for the first time in 2021, offers a $3 million purse, which is the largest of any LPGA Tour event outside of the majors and the CME Group Tour Championship.
Cognizant Chief Marketing Officer Gaurav Chand said the event matches the company’s vision and mission.
“We’re committed to creating equal opportunity and diversity, both in and out of the workplace,” he said. “We invested in the Cognizant Founders Cup as part of that commitment, with the goal of helping to build a better future for the next generation of female golfers.
“We’re pleased to continue that effort and look forward supporting the talented athletes of the LPGA in 2022 and beyond through our sponsorship.”
Upper Montclair Country Club is one of only a few country clubs worldwide known to have hosted tournaments for all three professional golf tours, including the LPGA in 1979 & 1980, 1983 & 1984, and 2007-2009.
About Cognizant
Cognizant, a Fortune 500 company based in Teaneck, describes itself as being a firm that engineers modern businesses by helping clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Cognizant works to advance diversity and inclusion in its business and beyond.
Considered one of the state’s premier golf clubs, this legendary A.W. Tillinghast golf course design underwent a major renovation in the 1950s, directed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., transforming Upper Montclair Country Club into its present 27-hole Championship layout.
Charlie Dimpfl, the general manager and chief operating officer at Upper Montclair, said the club is thrilled by the partnership.
“There is no greater supporter of women’s golf and the professional game than UMCC, and we expect today’s world-class women professionals will find our golf course as challenging, yet as fair as their predecessors,” he said.
As part of pre-event planning, golf fans, local residents and supporters of women’s golf are welcomed to visit the brand ambassador center and register to serve as brand ambassadors throughout tournament week. These brand ambassadors will assist with all aspects of tournament operations, in both on-course and behind the scenes capacities for the weeklong event.
