N.J. Native Marina Alex Elected To Lpga Board

LPGA Tour professional Marina Alex, a native of Wayne, N.J., has been named to the LPGA Board of Directors.

Alex was elected by her peers to serve as one of six player directors. She’ll serve a two-year term, joining LPGA President Vicki Goetze-Ackerman and five other incumbents: Austin Ernst, Christina Kim, Gerina Piller, Morgan Pressel, and Sarah Jane Smith.

"I am very honored to have been selected by my fellow players as a player director for the next two seasons," Alex said. "I hope to represent the ladies' needs and interests the best I can, and to leave the LPGA in an even better place after my two years."

The Board of Directors consists of six player directors and six independent directors, along with LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan and Deb Vangellow, in her role as the president of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP).

Roberta Bowman, the outgoing chair of the board of directors, says Alex will bring a lot to the board. “Marina Alex is well liked and hugely respected by her fellow LPGA Tour members,” she said. “She served on the LPGA Board's Nominating Committee in 2016 and helped vet candidates to comprise the slate. She will be a wonderful addition as a player director on the LPGA Board."

The 27-year old Alex began her golf career at North Jersey Country Club in Wayne before going on to become a two-time first-team All-American and two-time SEC Player of the Year at Vanderbilt. She earned her LPGA Tour card in the fall of 2012.

She tied for 11that the U.S. Women’s Open at Trump National-Bedminster this past July, the best finish by an American.

Jon Iwata, senior vice president and chief brand officer with IBM, and Tom Schoewe, retired executive vice president and chief financial officer at Walmart, were also elected by the membership of the LPGA Tour as independent directors of the LPGA Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2018.

-- Rick Woelfel