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The Rolex Rankings Board and Technical Committee has announced a modification to the process for calculating the weekly Rolex Rankings. The modification will be implemented for the rankings released Monday, Apr. 17.

Since its inception in February 2006, the Rolex Rankings have awarded points to players based on an accumulated 104-week "rolling" period, with the points awarded in the most recent 13-week period carrying a stronger value continuing the emphasis on the most recent performances. Effective with the April 17 rankings, points will be reduced in 91 equal decrements following week 13 for the remaining 91 weeks of the two-year Rolex Ranking period rather than the seven equal 13 week decrements previously used.

"This modification enables the average points to be represented and calculated in a gradual and consistent basis throughout the entire 104-week period, as opposed to the more dramatic adjustments that used to occur at the end of each 13-week period," said Chris Higgs, chairman of the Rolex Rankings Technical Committee. "This modification will only strengthen the overall representation of the best players in the world."

The Rolex Rankings are sanctioned by the five major women's professional golf tours: the LPGA, Ladies European Tour, LPGA of Japan, Korea LPGA and Australian Ladies Professional Golf, as well as the Ladies Golf Union, which administers the Weetabix Women's British Open.

UNDER DEVELOPMENT: KOLON has been named the title sponsor of the LPGA's professional development program, which offers educational and cross-cultural communication training for all members, LPGA officials have announced. The program now will be called the KOLON-LPGA Cross-Cultural Professional Development Program.

"We are excited with our partnership with KOLON, which emphasizes the importance of communication among all individuals, regardless of where they call home," said LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens. "We successfully test-piloted the cross-cultural program in 2006, and we are eager to expand the program in 2007."

KOLON has led the way in the development of golf in Korea since 1985, when the honorary chairman of KOLON Group, Dong Chan Lee, was appointed as the chairman of Korea Golf Association.

The KOLON-LPGA Cross-Cultural Professional Development Program was designed to assist LPGA members in developing core skills that will help them succeed as an LPGA professional.

In 2006, Phase I of the program focused on the importance of effective English language communication skills including conversational, survival and "golf speak." In its inaugural season, the program integrated onsite tutoring sessions into real-life situations, such as weekly pro-ams, media interviews, practice rounds, informal settings with other players and LPGA staff.

Moving forward, the program will focus on building social and professional skills with an emphasis on bridging cultural differences; growing awareness of, and sensitivity to, cultural differences exemplified by differing values, assumptions, and communication styles. The program also emphasizes the skills espoused by the LPGA's Five Points of Celebrity -- Appearance, Relevance, Approachability, Joy/Passion, and Performance; as well as establishing the ability to respond to demands of global golf sport entertainment business.

MS. AMBASSADOR: Annika Sorenstam has entered into an alliance with the Make-A-Wish Foundation under which she will become a national ambassador for the foundation and will be featured in a national PSA campaign this summer. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation serves children over the age of 2 1/2 and under the age of 18 facing life-threatening medical conditions. Last year, the foundation granted more than 12,600 wishes -- a wish every 41 minutes -- through its 69 chapters in the United States and U.S. territories.

Sorenstam has made the Make-A-Wish Foundation one of the main charitable beneficiaries of the Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika, a new LPGA tournament set for Charleston, S.C., the first week of June. They also will be involved in the Annika Academy, Sorenstam's new golf school in suburban Orlando.

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