WGPA
The WGPA is the association of female golf professionals — the abbreviation stands for Women Professional Golfers' Association.
The WGPA is a professional association in which female golf professionals are organised: both playing professionals, i.e. tour players, and teaching professionals who work as golf instructors. The association represents the interests of female professionals, for example towards governing bodies, tournament organisers and sponsors. It is thus the female counterpart to the PGA, in which traditionally mainly male professionals are organised. Internationally the best known is the LPGA, the major ladies' tour and players' organisation in the USA.
In practice, the association's work means three things. Firstly, tournament series and their own Tour are organised, on which the professionals play for prize money. Secondly, it is about training standards: a Teaching Pro completes a regulated training programme before she is allowed to give lessons. Thirdly, the association represents its members in matters of contracts, tournament conditions and the visibility of women's golf. As a club golfer you mainly come across the topic when you take lessons with a qualified female professional.
A common misconception is confusing it with the PGA. The PGA is the general umbrella association of golf professionals, while the WGPA explicitly targets women in professional golf. The difference between an amateur and a Pro also causes confusion: anyone who teaches golf for a living or plays for prize money is a professional and loses amateur status. It is precisely this boundary that makes a separate organisation of female professionals necessary.
FAQ
What distinguishes the WGPA from the PGA?
The PGA is the general umbrella association of golf professionals, in which traditionally mainly male professionals are organised. The WGPA explicitly targets women in professional golf and represents their interests towards governing bodies, tournament organisers and sponsors. It is thus the female counterpart, not a sub-association.
Where do you encounter the WGPA as a club golfer in everyday life?
Above all when you take lessons with a qualified female professional, because the training standards for teaching pros are part of the association's work. Added to this are the organised tournament series in which professionals play for prize money. As a club golfer you usually only notice it on the sign at the practice facility or on tournament posters.
Can a female golfer be an amateur and a professional at the same time?
No, anyone who teaches golf for a living or plays for prize money is a professional and loses amateur status. This clear boundary is the reason a separate organisation of female professionals is needed at all. For your handicap and most club competitions, only amateur status counts.