According to a press release, this year’s event will include a special celebration for the “pioneers” of The Founders Cup, honoring their work in starting “one of the most successful women’s sports organizations in history.”

In addition to the annual salutes, Peggy Kirk Bell, Betsy Rawls, Barbara Romack and Mickey Wright will also be honored for their “pioneering and trailblazing spirit, as well as their exemplary participation in the development and advancement of the LPGA.”

The four-day, 72-hole stroke play competition has a field of 132 players competing for a purse of $1.5 million and $500,000 that will go to the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Program.

Proceeds from the 2011 tournament helped fund the creation of 40 new golf sites across the country for young women as well as 1,500 new golf participants, and they hope to have even more of an impact this year. Enhancements to the 2012 tournament are in spirit of the pioneering women and are meant to give back to the community by having a more charitable foundation. They hope to continue the “pay it forward” theme in the future and also hope to expand the number of opportunities young women have to get into the game of golf.

The RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup will take place March 12-18 at Wildfire Golf Club at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix. Tickets are available between $10 and $300 online. For more information, visit http://www.lpga.com/lpgafounderscup.aspx?mid=1&;pid=0.