FM Championship is not your typical golf tournament
Hello friends, welcome to use this version of the Rogers report! I’ve been on the live at the FM Championships all week, unlike any professional golf tournament I’ve ever been to. Of course, this event earned some extra points in my book because it was a home game, but there were a lot of things that made the FM champion one of them all week.
FM Champion Tuesday
On Tuesday, I headed to the Titleist Performance Center for an afternoon at the LPGA Leadership Academy, where 40 girls from all over the country headed to Titleist’s Manchester Driveway facility to devote themselves to their golf skills and personal development over a three-day period.
The women leading the academy are so passionate about helping attendees build confidence and a stronger sense of self, and it worked. Teenagers cheering each other as strangers navigate through three clinic stations outside. After lunch, Megan Khang joined a panel to discuss her leadership style, life on the LPGA Tour and more.
After a nice afternoon at Leadership Academy, I headed to Gillette Stadium for the Pro-Am pairing party. The professionals arrive and take pictures of the field and then meet with their partner for Pro-AM. Then we all went upstairs to Mingle to hear LPGA Commissioner Kraig Kessler, FM CEO Malcolm Roberts and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey speak.
This is my first week of re-entering the competition since last month’s open title and I can’t ask for a better return to the swing of things. The LPGA Leadership Academy reminds me that golf is not just a score, but it is a New Englander dream at Gillette Stadium with the best golfers in the world.
Chat with LPGA Specialist Craig Kessler
On Thursday, I chaired a panel with LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler. He explained that even if this is only the second year of the FM Championship, players hover as an “not to be missed” event. He highlighted the fact that the game is one of the most competitive wallets on the tour, players’ layoff allowances, hotel and air ticket credits, recovery rooms in the player’s hotel, elevated on-site food and beverages, and player-centric dinners Thursday and Friday nights. All of these things are very different for professionals and you can tell everyone how happy they are there.
Not only are the players excited about being at the Boston TPC, but locals are eager to embrace the tour with open arms. Hundreds of FM colleague volunteers were on the court every day to watch the best players in the world.
LPGA-USGA Women’s Golf Clinic
One of the most unique things about the FM Champion is the series. It has two levels. On the upper floors, you will see professionals heating up. On the lower level, you will see dozens of kids playing games, making friends and receiving hands-on guidance from LPGA teaching professionals.
Not every day there are kids participating in games and there are opportunities to share scope with professionals, so it is very beneficial. The clinic is totally popular, getting some pointers in your own game and then going out to see your favorite player t-shirt sounds like a perfect day.
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