PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 14: Tiger Woods of the United States during a press ... [+]
Golf has a reputation for exclusivity and has historically been dominated by white male players. However, the Genesis Invitational is breaking down those barriers and paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive future for the sport. This prestigious tournament is not only one of the most popular on the PGA Tour, but it is also making waves for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
One way the tournament has done that is by partnering with the Tiger Woods Foundation to support it’s mission of providing educational opportunities for underserved youth. The foundation aims to break the cycle of poverty by providing students with access to resources and tools to succeed in school and beyond.
In addition to its partnership with the Tiger Woods Foundation, the Genesis Invitational has also made it a priority to highlight diverse players in the tournament. This year's field included golfers from all over the world, including players from South Korea, Japan, and Mexico. The tournament also featured several African American and Hispanic golfers, including Harold Varner III, Tony Finau, and Abraham Ancer.
The Genesis Invitational has made it clear that it values diversity and inclusion in the sport of golf. The tournament is setting an example for other golf events to follow.
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Harold Varner III bumps fist with fans on the ninth hole during ... [+]
Harold Varner III is one of the most prominent African American golfers on the PGA Tour. He has been a vocal supporter of golf diversity and has spoken out about the lack of opportunities for minority golfers. Varner has played in the Genesis Invitational for several years and has served as an example for many aspiring golfers.
Tony Finau is another golfer who is helping to break down barriers in the sport. Finau is of Tongan and American Samoan descent and has been a standout player on the PGA tour for several years. He has played in the Genesis Invitational for the past several years and is a fan favorite.
Abraham Ancer is Mexican golfer who has quickly become one of the top players on the PGA Tour. He played in the Genesis Invitational for the first time this year and had an impressive showing, finishing in the top 10. Ancer is helping to inspire a new generation of Mexican golfers and is proving that golf is a sport for everyone.
The tournament is helping to change the perception of golf as an exclusive sport and is inspiring a new generation of players, showing that golf is a sport for everyone.
For(bes) The Culture was invited to attend The Genesis Invitational at Riviera County Club in Pacific Palisades, California. We were able to gain first-hand knowledge of what the playing field entailed and how they are implementing a more diverse environment.
The impact of the Genesis Invitational is not limited to the tournament itself. The tournament is making a difference at the Genesis Invitational by partnering with several minority and women-owned businesses to offer food and beverage options at the tournament. This is a huge step towards encouraging diversity and inclusion in the golf industry and is assisting in giving those business owners access.
PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: Dana Spaulding Founder of Wander + Ivy Wine, at the ... [+]
Dana Spaulding, the founder of Wander + Ivy and the official wine sponsor of the Genesis Invitational, spoke with us at the event, on how they are collaborating with the PGA to ensure that women and individuals from multicultural backgrounds are fairly represented at the tournament.
Wander + Ivy is a female-founded company that offers an elevated single-serve wine experience. The brand partners with award-winning, family-owned vineyards around the world to bring premium wine that is made with certified organic grapes and packaged in convenient single-serve glass bottles.
Dana spoke on the significance of diversity of and how it felt to be the event's premier wine supplier.
“As the founder and CEO of a woman and disability-owned brand, I am incredibly proud that Wander + Ivy was named the official wine of the 2023 Genesis Invitational. We applaud the PGA’s initiatives in building more diversity in the game of golf, and look forward to continuing to add value with other diverse brands,” stated Spaulding.
PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: General atmosphere during The Genesis Invitational - ... [+]
Aside from the athletic thrill, the sport is excellent for networking and developing business relationships. We were curious to learn how Wander + Ivy intended to influence the conversation and welcome more diversity on the golf course.
In response to the question of how to influence the conversation on diversity in the golf business, Spaulding said her company is setting the bar high by setting a diverse workplace culture. Spaulding arrived on-site with a multicultural team of female leaders who were all excited to be a part of the event.
"Our team is quite diverse, with a wide range of experiences and skill sets to offer. "At Wander + Ivy, we challenge stale thinking, which leads to new and innovative ideas that strengthen our bottom line," noted Spaulding.
One of the lasting memories from the 2023 tournament was the return of the tournament host Tiger Woods, to the PGA tour competition for the first time in more than six months.
Tee off For Youth program during the Genesis Invitational
While the golf “hall of famer’ has set the bar for most players, the Genesis Invitational is attempting to inspire a new generation of golfers. The tournament has established a special golf education program called Tee Off for Youth that offers tickets to the tournament and instruction on the rules of golf to underserved youth. This initiative is funded by the kind donations of of individuals and businesses in the LA region.
With the shift on the horizon, there are still aspects to consider, particularly how underrepresented women are in golf. With the notion that golf is a "boys club society," the tournament could gain an edge in the near future by implementing more metrics to include women on the green.
Spaudling discussed how the tour could contribute to that inclusiveness.
“Golf is an incredible sport to introduce girls to at a young age as it teaches discipline, dedication and perseverance. As well as encourages time spent outdoors when people so often find themselves tied to electronics. On top of this, the skill of golf gives women opportunities in business that they may never have had, otherwise allowing them the chance to network with additional contacts,” Spaulding asserted.
