Northern California PGA Professionals Greg Fitzgerald and Tom Smith to Host Inaugural San Francisco Pride Pro-Am Golf Tournament at TPC Harding Park
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2019-06-19
The Northern California PGA Section (NCPGA) has announced that the inaugural San Francisco Pride Pro-Am Golf Tournament will take place on Wednesday, June 26, at TPC Harding Park, host site of the 2020 PGA Championship.
Created by Northern California PGA Members Greg Fitzgerald, the Head Golf Professional at the Institute Golf Course in Morgan Hill, Calif.; and Tom Smith, the General Manager at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, the tournament will benefit the San Francisco Pride Celebration—and also welcome the LGBTQ community and friends in the spirit of equality on an incredible golf course that will host the game’s best professionals for the PGA Championship, May 11-17, 2020.
“The Northern California PGA Section is proud to lend its support to PGA Member Greg Fitzgerald in his effort to promote inclusion in the game of golf and bring the San Francisco-area community together for a fun-filled day to benefit a great cause,” said Northern California PGA Section Executive Director Len Dumas.
Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the SF Pride Celebration Committee, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit. SF Pride is also a grant-giving organization through its Community Partners Program.
“The response to this inaugural event has been tremendous, and I’m humbled by how much the golf and LGBTQ communities have come together already,” said Fitzgerald. “From participants to sponsors and volunteer support, many people and organizations have stepped up to help make this tournament a success. The LGBTQ community represents a tremendous growth market for the game of golf, and we appreciate organizations like the PGA of America, especially my home section in Northern California, making inclusion such a top priority.”
“Golf is sport of connection,” said PGA of America Chief People Officer Sandy Cross. “We’re tremendously proud of PGA Members like Greg Fitzgerald who are leveraging the power of golf to create events that foster authentic connections and inclusion in the sport. Members of the LGBTQ community, their families, friends and allies will surely have a wonderful time at this tournament.”
The Inaugural San Francisco Pride Pro-Am Golf Tournament at TPC Harding Park is presented in an easy and fun scramble format. Amateurs are invited to register individually or with a complete group of four golfers. Participants who sign up individually or with two or three players will be connected with others to complete the group. Each group of four golfers will be joined by a PGA Professional.
With over 250 parade contingents, and more than 20 community-programmed stages and venues, the San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade is the largest gathering of the LGBT community and allies in the nation. The festival, attracting up to 700,000 annually, begins on Saturday, June 29, in Civic Center Plaza in downtown San Francisco. The Parade, which takes place Sunday morning June 30, marches along Market Street from the Embarcadero to Civic Center, in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Since 1997, SF Pride has awarded over $3 million from proceeds of the Pride Celebration and Parade to local non-profit LGBTQ Organizations, and those organizations working on issues such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, homelessness and animal welfare.
For more information on the San Francisco Pride Pro-Am Golf Tournament or to make a donation to San Francisco Pride, click here.
About the Northern California PGA Section (NCPGA)
Organized in 1920 to promote interest in the game of golf, the birth of this association was heralded as an important step to the advancement of the game in this district. The Northern California Section is one of the 41 designated Sections of the PGA of America, the world’s largest working sports organization. With over 1,100 dedicated PGA Professionals and apprentices at more than 500 golf facilities in Northern California and Northwestern Nevada, the association continues to have a positive impact on the game of golf and communities both regionally and nationally. For more information, please visit ncpgalinks.com or call 707-449-4742.
About San Francisco Pride
The San Francisco Pride Celebration Committee is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded to produce the SF Pride Celebration and Parade. The mission of the organization is to educate the world on LGBTQ issues, as well as commemorate the heritage, celebrate the culture, and liberate the people of all LGBTQ communities. A world leader in the Pride movement, SF Pride is also a grant-giving organization through its Community Partners Program. Since 1997, SF Pride has granted over $3 million dollars in proceeds to local nonprofit LGBTQIA organizations and organizations working on issues related to HIV/AIDS, cancer, homelessness, housing rights, and animal welfare.