Friends of Golf (FOG) to Honor Rickie Fowler & Kay Cockerill at 46th Annual Charity Tournament
Five-Time U.S. Ryder Cup Member & Ben Hogan Trophy Award Winner Fowler Joins Two-Time U.S. Amateur Champion & UCLA Golf Legend Cockerill
Event Set for October 19th at Bel-Air Country Club
Los Angeles, CA (August 13, 2026) Friends of Golf (FOG) is set to honor PGA standout and California native Rickie Fowler and two-time U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion and current TV commentator Kay Cockerill at its 46th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, announced by FOG President Peter Best.
Both Fowler and Cockerill will be on hand and interviewed on October 19th at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles. For FOG’s 2026 Tournament, Konica Minolta proudly returns as Title Sponsor, continuing more than 15 years of support for junior golfers and helping to make the mission a reality.
Fowler, a five-time U.S. Ryder Cup team member and the former PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, has won six PGA tournaments, including THE PLAYERS Championship of 2015, and has received over $55 million in estimated career earnings.
Known for his vibrant style and signature Sunday orange attire, Fowler won the 2008 Ben Hogan Award while playing for Oklahoma State. In 2011, Fowler launched The Rickie Fowler Foundation, with a primary mission to promote the game of golf and make it accessible to young people who might not have the financial means to participate.
Cockerill, who began as a walk-on to the UCLA golf team, became the first female golfer inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. Cockerill went on to win both the 1986 and 1987 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships and was later inducted into the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Players Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Northern California Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2013, adding even more weight to her remarkable list of accolades.
After competing on the LPGA Tour, Cockerill was among the first commentators hired by Golf Channel at its launch in 1995. She has since built over 30 years of television experience, working as a commentator and analyst for Golf Channel, while also serving as an on-course commentator for NBC Sports and ESPN. Cockerill continues to be one of the most experienced and respected voices in golf broadcasting.
“We are thrilled to honor both Kay Cockerill and Rickie Fowler at our 46th Annual Golf Tournament,” said FOG’s Best. “Both Kay and Rickie have made their mark on the game of golf both on and off the course. Kay is one of the greatest players in UCLA history, a longtime member of the LPGA Tour, and one of today’s top TV golf commentators. And Rickie is one of the best-known players on the PGA Tour, a five-time Ryder Cup member and a Ben Hogan Award winner. We are excited to celebrate both at this year’s FOG event at Bel-Air Country Club.”
Founded in 1979 by Eddie Merrins, the late legendary PGA golfer, UCLA men’s golf coach, and longtime teaching professional at Bel-Air Country Club, along with a group of philanthropic Los Angeles-area golfers, Friends of Golf (FOG, www.friendsofgolf.org) was established to make it possible for aspiring junior golfers (regardless of economic background) to play, compete, and excel in the game of golf.
Over the past four decades, FOG has donated more than $11 million to national and local colleges/universities, high schools, and other golf-focused organizations, and honored many of the game’s top players including Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Lorena Ochoa, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, Amy Alcott, and Juli Inkster.
FOG partners with the Golf Coaches Association of America and Colonial Country Club to honor the top collegiate male golfer with the Ben Hogan Trophy Award, and with The LPGA Foundation and Women’s Golf Coaches Association to recognize the top collegiate female golfer with the Dinah Shore Trophy each year, celebrating excellence in collegiate golf while inspiring and supporting the next generation of junior golfers.
ABOUT FRIENDS OF GOLF (FOG)
FOG makes it possible for aspiring junior golfers (irrespective of economic standing) to play, compete, and excel in this exceptional sport. The FOG mission is to support junior golfers with scholarships, team support, equipment, and like-minded organizations and foundations throughout the United States, whether they play for enjoyment or are pursuing a professional career.
Founded in 1979 by Eddie Merrins, the late legendary PGA golfer, UCLA men’s golf coach, and longtime teaching professional at Bel-Air Country Club, and a group of Los Angeles-area golfers.
Over the years, FOG has donated over $11 million to both national and local colleges, high schools, and other golf-focused organizations.
Friends of Golf, Inc. is recognized as a non-profit, tax-deductible organization through Federal I.D. #95-3668541 and the State of California Franchise Tax Board Organization #1058257. (www.friendsofgolf.org)