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NORTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A new women's golf tournament will take place in Massachusetts next year, the LPGA Tour announced Friday.
TPC Boston in Norton will host the inaugural FM Global Championship from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, 2024, with a field of 144 players and a $3.5 million purse.
It will be the first time the tour plays in New England since the 2004 U.S. Women’s Open at Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, Massachusetts.
The announcement was made at the 521 Overlook at Fenway Park, with LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu among those in attendance.
In their remarks, Healey and Wu both described the upcoming championship as a boon for local and state economies.
"We know that golf tourism is on the rise. Hosting the LPGA in Massachusetts has incredible marketing value. Golfers and golf enthusiasts globally will see Massachusetts is a top tier golf destination," Healey said. "It’s going to bring visitors to our restaurants and to our hotels and stores and cultural attractions. It’s going to create jobs. And it’s going to put our state on a big global stage."
"There will be so many positive ripple effects from hosting this FM Global Championship with the LPGA," Wu said. "For our residents, for our economy, but especially for our young people."
Samaan said part of the reason they picked Boston for the inaugural run of the tournament was because of the area's rabid sports fans.
"We know here in Boston and the New England area, you guys are quite obsessed by sports and know the value of sports to build communities," Samaan said.
TPC Boston has hosted 17 PGA Tour events, including 13 FedEx Cup playoff events.
WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.
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