10 Sep Sandy LaBauve and Rita Reasons to be Inducted into the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame
These outstanding LPGA Professionals represent the Hall of Fame Class of 2026
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., September 3, 2026 –
Sandy LaBauve, an LPGA Professional from Scottsdale, Arizona, and founder of LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, and Rita Reasons, an LPGA Professional from Nashville, Tennessee, and former Midwest Section president, have been inducted into the 2026 LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame. The two women are being recognized for their extraordinary dedication, outstanding achievements and steadfast commitment to growing and advancing the game of golf.
Throughout their distinguished careers, LaBauve and Reasons have made an immeasurable impact on the game, creating opportunities for women and girls to learn, play and thrive in golf while inspiring generations of golfers and fellow professionals along the way.
Rita Reasons
Rita Reasons path to the game of golf was unlike many others. Before becoming an accomplished LPGA Professional, nationally recognized instructor, mentor and leader, Reasons built a successful career in banking and performed with the Nashville Symphony after earning a degree in Music Performance.
She discovered golf later in life and eventually became a student of fellow LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame member Nancy Quarcelino. What began as an introduction to the game, soon evolved into a lifelong profession and a passion for helping others experience the transformative power of golf.
Today, Reasons co-owns the Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf at Gaylord Springs Golf Links in Nashville, Tennessee, where she has built a distinguished career as an award-wining instructor. Throughout more than three decades of teaching, she has worked with golfers at every level, from beginners and juniors to professional athletes, Tour players and club champions.
Her diverse experiences have helped shape her approach to teaching. Whether performing in a concert hall, building a career in the business world or competing on the golf course, Reasons understands that success requires preparation, discipline, perseverance and confidence. She has carried those principles to the lesson tee, combining her technical knowledge of the game with the ability to communicate, motivate and inspire her students.
A guiding influence throughout Reasons’ career came from LPGA legend Peggy Kirk Bell, who encouraged her to “take care of the new golfer, as they are the future of the game.”
Reasons embraced that philosophy throughout her career, creating opportunities to welcome and support those new to the game, particularly women and young girls. She established the first LPGA*USGA Girls Golf chapter in Tennessee and directed the program for 25 years. She also founded the Women’s Beginner School, which has introduced thousands of women to the game over more than three decades.
Her commitment to growing the game has extended far beyond her own students. Reasons has been a dedicated leader within the LPGA Professionals community, serving as Treasurer of the Southeast Section and President of the Midwest Section. She has also shared her expertise through the LPGA Professionals Executive and Leadership Committee, along with numerous other committees that have helped shape the direction of the organization and strengthen support for its members.
Most recently, Rita could be found on the first tee, sending off the Professionals competing in the 2025-26 LPGA Professionals Championship in Nashville, a fitting example of her continued commitment to the organization and its members.
Reasons’ dedication to teaching, service and development of future generations has been recognized with some of the LPGA Professionals’ highest honors, including the LPGA National Teacher of the Year, LPGA Midwest Section Teacher of the Year, Goldie Bateson Service Award, Sarah Hunter Junior Achievement Award and the Jeri Reid Spirit of Golf Award.
Her accomplishments as an instructor have also earned national recognition, She has been named an LPGA Top 50 Teacher, GOLF Magazine Top Regional Teacher, Golf Digest Tennessee Best Instructor, Golf for Women Magazine Top 50 Teacher and US Kids Golf Top 50 Teacher.
But for Reasons, her impact reaches far beyond the honors and titles she has earned throughout her career. It can be found in the thousands of golfers she has taught, the women and girls she has introduced to the game and the Professionals she has mentored and influenced along the way.
For more than three decades, Reasons has dedicated her career to helping others discover what golf can offer. Through her teaching, leadership and service to the LPGA Professionals, she has helped grow the game and create opportunities for generations of golfers to follow.
“Being inducted into the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame is the greatest honor of my career,” said Reasons. “It is especially meaningful because my career has always been about serving the LPGA, growing the game, and creating opportunities for others. I am deeply grateful to the Founders who built this organization and to those who have helped shape my journey. I have always believed that our greatest responsibility is to leave the game and our profession stronger for those who follow. To have a career dedicated to that purpose recognized by the LPGA Professionals is an honor I will forever cherish”.