The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has announced a multi-year partnership with UKG, selecting the company as its official human resources (HR), payroll, and workforce management technology partner. This collaboration aims to enhance operational efficiency and support the LPGA’s global staff of nearly 200 employees.
Under the agreement, the LPGA is implementing the UKG Ready® HR, payroll, and workforce management suite. This centralized system is designed to provide comprehensive workforce data and insights, which will bolster the organization’s operational effectiveness and inform strategic business decisions concerning its staff, athletes, and guest experiences. UKG, known for its AI-powered solutions and extensive collection of people, work, and employee sentiment data, serves over 80,000 organizations worldwide.
Liz Moore, interim LPGA commissioner, commented on the decision, stating, “The LPGA is proud to announce UKG as our official human resources, payroll, and workforce management technology partner. Beyond being a leading workforce management provider, UKG’s commitment to supporting the growth of women’s sports made them the clear choice to support our people. We anticipate that UKG’s solutions will help propel the LPGA forward in both business and sports.”
The partnership’s key objectives include improving the employee experience at the LPGA, boosting business efficiency through real-time data access provided by the AI-first UKG Ready suite, and fostering a welcoming and empowering environment for women in golf and business. Additionally, the collaboration seeks to increase UKG’s brand awareness and strengthen its relationships with customers.
Rachel Barger, president, go-to-market at UKG, emphasized the shared values, saying, “The LPGA has consistently championed empowerment for women in sports, demonstrating talent, resilience, and leadership globally. We share that commitment to fostering environments where individuals can thrive. UKG believes in the transformative power of technology to create inclusive and supportive workplaces that enhance productivity and positively impact customers. The UKG Ready suite will assist the LPGA in managing its workforce more efficiently, allowing the organization to focus on empowering women on and off the golf course and inspiring future generations.”
UKG’s track record in assisting professional sports organizations with complex, mobile workforces was a significant factor in the LPGA’s selection. The UKG Ready suite will enable the LPGA to ensure compliance with labor laws and tax regulations across the 29 U.S. states where its employees are located. It will also automate various aspects of the employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to payroll and performance management. Furthermore, UKG Bryte™ AI will offer personalized workforce insights and conversational reporting, while the UKG Great Place To Work® Hub will provide access to employee sentiment benchmarking and actionable insights to cultivate a positive workplace culture.
Samantha Simmons, chief people and internal operations officer at LPGA, added, “We are enthusiastic about the transformative impact UKG will have on the LPGA and our employee experience. This technology aligns with our goals of being a worldwide leader in sports and a top employer of choice. This partnership represents a monumental step in our commitment to supporting the individuals who uphold our athletes, members, tournaments, and fans worldwide.”
