L.A. to host finale of golf series designed to boost diversity

Wave Wire Services

WOODLAND HILLS — Farmers Insurance and the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour have announced a series of three tournaments in Los Angeles, the Philadelphia area and Atlanta this fall designed to further the APGA Tour’s mission of bringing greater diversity to the game of golf.

The APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Fall Series will kick off Sept. 20 at the Bluestone Country Club in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, followed Oct.17-19 by the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Atlanta Championship at the White Oak Golf Club at the Clubs of Peachtree City, Atlanta; and the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Fall Series Finale Nov. 7-9 at the Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles.

The first two tournaments have a $25,000 purse, and the Los Angeles event has a $30,000 purse.

The APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Fall Series also will feature a $15,000 bonus pool that pays an additional $7,500 to the player who is awarded the most points from each of the three events.

The top-3 ranked players from the Fall Classic, who aren’t previously qualified for the 2022 APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Invitational, will be invited to play in the 2022 APGA Tour event at Torrey Pines in San Diego that is played opposite the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open.

As proud supporters of the APGA Tour and its work to grow diversity in golf, Farmers is honored to help extend the APGA Tour season by sponsoring the Fall Series and bringing more awareness to the talented players competing in these events,” said Farmers Insurance CEO Jeff Dailey.

We believe this extension will help create more playing opportunities inside the ropes for many impressive athletes while also championing programs and initiatives that can generate connections within the golf industry as a whole,” he added.

The three APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Fall Series tournaments will each feature two separate youth-focused events that will give youngsters from economically challenging backgrounds an introduction to golf, as well as offer career, health and wellness discussions, according to organizers.

Additionally, the APGA Tour will partner with local First Tee Chapters to provide golf clinics and instruction to youth participants who are more experienced in golf. The clinics will be conducted by APGA Tour players, many of whom were either First Tee participants themselves or are currently volunteering their time with First Tee chapters.

In Los Angeles, the Advocates Foundation Farmers Insurance Youth Program at Chester Washington Golf Course in South Los Angeles will include 100 young people for a discussion on health, wellness and career topics. Essay winners will receive scholarships and an opportunity to attend the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open. APGA. Tour players also will conduct a clinic for the youth participants and students will have a chance for additional prizes.

Farmers has been incredible in supporting our tremendous growth the past couple of years,” said APGA Tour CEO Ken Bentley. “Farmers and CEO Jeff Dailey have continued to strengthen the relationship by not only increasing financial support but by joining our efforts to help talented high school and college minority players. Together we are helping to bring greater diversity to the game of golf.”

Two-time APGA Tour winner and Farmers Insurance Ambassador Kamaiu Johnson said the APGA Tour “gives us a place to develop and compete inside the ropes while helping us grow and make connections through the golf and business world, as well.”

For me, personally, I am so thankful for all that Farmers does to support diversity to help golf better resemble the world we live in,” Johnson added.