The second event of the LPGA Tour 2025 calendar i.e. the Founders Cup has a long history associated with the LPGA Tour. The event has been in the news for the players’ performance and roster featuring great names, but there is more to add to the event. The event which signed a title sponsor deal with Cognizant in 2021 has reached out to a new sponsor in 2025.

This year the event will be known as the Founders Cup presented by the U.S. Virgin Islands. Teeing off from February 6-9, 2025, only the name has been changed, the rest including venue and rules are still the same which the fans loved. The tournament will tee off at the historic venue i.e. the Bradenton Country Club. Interestingly, Nelly Korda was born in Bradenton and is said to reside there as well. Let’s dive deeper into its history.

The history of Bradenton Country Club explored

The golf course boasts a legacy nearly a century old. The course was founded in 1924 as the Palma Sola Country Club. Even today, the logo has the same palm tree that signifies the first name. However, the city’s name change from Bradentown to Bradenton later triggered a rebranding of the course. Since then, it’s been called the Bradenton Country Club.

On February 25, 1924, Rhonda Allen of Pennsylvania sold a large plot of land to A.F. Wyman and E.P. Green. The purchase resulted in a new company formation, which was the Palma Sola Investment Company. But later in 1930, Donald Ross, a famous golf architect, proposed that the land was ideal for playing golf. For this, he was hired as the course designer.

Later, despite the war years, the community raised $35,000 to buy the golf course and renovate the clubhouse for local and traveling golfers. Even a celebratory golf event was hosted to honor the decision of the community. With the ongoing advancements of the course, be it clubhouse, tennis courts, restaurants, pool area, and others. The Bradenton Herald’s People’s Choice Awards named it the best Private Golf Course in Manatee County in 2015. Apart from the beauty of the course, its professional golfer’s roster has helped in recording some of the best figures in the past few years.

Founders Cup course details and records

The event pays homage to the 13 women behind the idea it honors the 70-year-long history of the LPGA Tour. Even to do justice, the century-long course with scenic views makes it an ideal place to witness the top golfers competing. The 6,465 yards with a 71-par course offer difficulty with a great competitive experience for the fans.

With over a decade of the tournament, Kim Sei-Young records the best performance with a 27 under-par score in 2016. However, the best round score was recorded by Anna Nordqvist, who shot under par 11, 61 in the 2017 third round. Every year, the event found a new winner, but not in the 2021 and 2023 editions, as Ko Jin-Young became the first professional to win the Founders Cup twice.

Now, as per her pattern of alternate win, can the 2025 year be her third victory year? What are your thoughts on it? Share with us in the comments below.