DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 2, 2020 – LPGA * USGA Girls Golf announced today that Charlaine Hirst, the Site Director of the Whispering Pines, NC Chapter, has been selected to be the recipient of the 2020 Sandy LaBauve Spirit Award, LPGA * USGA Girls Golf’s most prestigious award.
Hirst, an LPGA Class A Professional, also known as a “Coach Chip”, will receive the award on January 28, 2021 during a virtual LPGA Professional Rolex Awards ceremony.
“I am so grateful to be part of the Girls Golf family,” said Hirst. “I am blessed to be able to share my love for golf with the next generation of young golfers and to bring them to develop a passion for the game that has given me so much. Many thanks to Sandy LaBauve for your vision, your #DriveOn mentality and for strengthening the next generation of young women. “
Named after the founder of LPGA * USGA Girls Golf, the Sandy LaBauve Spirit Award honors a person who has anything but inspired the lives of juniors through their passion and commitment to empowering girls through golf. LaBauve was an LPGA Teaching Professional in Phoenix, Arizona and the mother of two daughters when she founded Girls Golf in 1989.
“Charlaine Hirst is the perfect winner for 2020,” said LaBauve. “Because of her efforts, more young girls are golfing in the Pinehurst area than ever before. She has encouraged parents and club members and community leaders to band together and develop the game, and she deserves credit for her passion for leading. I am grateful to have role models like Charlaine in the LPGA who inspire and accompany girls through golf. “
Hirst integrates the Five E’s from LPGA * USGA Girls Golf into every lesson. From her focus on sharing her love of play (energize), to warm up (exercise), life lessons (enrich) and how to face adversity in order to come back stronger (empower), Hirst is committed as a positive role model and leader. She is also a member of the Girls Golf Expert Committee, which assists the LPGA Foundation’s Headquarters team in running webinars, delivering best practices, and sharing experiences with new and established site directors.
“I have two daughters [Sophia and Emma] who have enrolled with Coach Chip for the past two years and their appreciation for the sport, personal trust and encouragement of others are evident in Coach Chip’s courses, ”said Hunter Miller. “These traits resonate from the start of class to the end, where a firm handshake with eye contact is instilled – something that COVID has turned into remote“ air fists ”that the girls like to throw over the practice areas.
“Coach Chip does more than just golf as she teaches girls that charity and work are as rewarding for others as sinking a putt. She is committed to saving pets and supporting the local community by raising funds for Caring Hearts for Canines. This subtle act shows both the person and the program that Coach Chip teaches each week. “
ABOUT THE LPGA TOUR
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. The association, founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, celebrates a diverse and traditional membership with more than 2,300 members from more than 30 countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best in women’s golf, LPGA Tour professionals compete around the world as the Symetra Tour, LPGA’s official development and qualification tour, is constantly on a pipeline of talents for the world stage. In addition, LPGA professionals have a direct impact on the game through teaching, coaching, and management.
The LPGA is demonstrating its commitment to the development of the game through the LPGA Foundation. Since 1991, this nonprofit has been committed to empowering and empowering girls and women through development, humanitarian, and golf community initiatives including LPGA * USGA Girls Golf, the LPGA Women’s Network, and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association.
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