Watch The Founders

The Founders is a biographical drama film that chronicles the formation of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in the 1940s. The movie highlights the struggles and challenges faced by the founding members of the association as they tried to establish themselves as professional athletes in a male-dominated society. The story revolves around four women: Louise Suggs (Patty Berg), Marilynn Smith (Ella Marie Cyr), Shirley Spork (Megan Hilty), and Bettye Danoff (Cathy Rush), who come together to form the LPGA. At the beginning of the movie, they are all amateur golf champions, who are forced to participate in sexist and poorly organized tournaments that offer little to no prize money. Despite being at the top of their game, they are regarded as inferior to their male counterparts, and their playing rights are limited.

As the movie progresses, we see these women face numerous obstacles, including lack of funding, discrimination, and opposition from the male-dominated PGA. However, they continue to persevere, with the help of a few supportive individuals, such as sportswriter Grantland Rice (Tommy Aaron), and finally, establish the LPGA.

The Founders also depicts the personal lives of these women, highlighting their individual struggles and triumphs. For instance, Louise Suggs's relationship with her wealthy, conservative family is an ongoing source of tension, while Marilynn Smith is conflicted between her love for golf and her desire to start a family. The movie also features Althea Gibson (Zakiya Young), the first African American woman to play professional golf, who faces discrimination and racism but continues to push forward, becoming a trailblazer for future generations.

In addition to the inspiring story, The Founders showcases the beauty of golf and the skill required to play the game at the highest level. The cinematography is excellent, capturing the lush green golf courses, the impact of the golf ball through slow-motion shots, and the tension in the players' faces as they navigate the course.

Overall, The Founders is a moving and inspirational film that gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the birth of the LPGA and the significant impact these women had on the sport. The courage and determination of these women serve as a reminder that change requires hard work, persistence, and a willingness to come together and fight for what is right. The movie is a must-watch for golf enthusiasts and anyone interested in stories of trailblazing women who refused to be held back by societal norms.

The Founders is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.