raise families in all those different communi-
ties,” Oliver says. “The events of 2020 have really
motivated us to work with our tournament teams
to determine how we can, through a racial equity
lens, support local programs and do more.”
In addition to increasing its charitableimpact, the PGA TOUR continues to try to grow
and diversify golf more generally. This includes
continuing its two-decades-plus work with the
venerable youth-golf organization First Tee and
expanding its collaboration with historically Black
colleges and universities, including support for
varsity golf programs and targeted job recruiting.
The TOUR has also created
a new initiative with another
longtime partner, Advocates
Pro Golf Association
(APGA), a minority-focused
nonprofit organization and
developmental tour, whereby
top Black collegiate golfers
will receive scholarships
onto the APGA Tour; upon
completion, these players
will receive exemptions into
the qualifying school for the
Korn Ferry Tour, the gateway
to the PGA TOUR.
The TOUR is also
reaching out to find new
partners. Its relationship
with 100 Black Men of America will see a
five-year commitment to help that national
organization expand its youth mentoring
programs. On top of these initiatives, the
PGA TOUR is growing its vendor and supplier
engagement programs to ensure greater
diversity through minority-owned businesses
within the industry’s economic engine.
“There’s a lot we want to do. We won’t get to
do all of it, but [we’re playing] the long game,”
says Oliver. “We’re in it not to tick boxes, but to
change the world we live in.” —EVAN ROTHMANCONTENT FROM PGA TOURTOP: THE PGA TOUR
HAS BEEN A LONGTIME
SUPPORTER OF THE EAST
LAKE FOUNDATION AND
DREW CHARTER SCHOOL.
IN 2019, ITS GOLF TEAM
(PICTURED HERE WITH
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU)
BROKE BARRIERS BY BEING
THE FIRST-EVER ALL-
AFRICAN-AMERICAN GOLF
TEAM TO WIN THE GEORGIA
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
BOTTOM: TODD ANDERSON,
PGA, DIRECTOR OF INSTRUC-
TION AT PERFORMANCE
CENTER—TPC SAWGRASS,
GIVES A LESSON TO APGA
GOLFER KAMAIU JOHNSON.PHOTOS BY TRACY WILCOX