FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEMPHIS, TN — January 2026 — While the traditional golf world focuses on the elite “top of the pyramid,” the Sapphire Golf Tour (SGT) is staging a strategic intervention at the base. Today, the Tour announced its 2026 “Starting Line” initiative—a national expansion designed to bridge the professional gap by targeting girls aged 10–14, the developmental window where diverse talent is most frequently lost to the “opportunity gap.”
Research indicates that for girls of color, middle school is the definitive “drop-off” point for competitive sports. The Sapphire Golf Tour is countering this trend by transforming professional tour stops into high-visibility access points, ensuring the next generation of Black women golfers see a professional pathway before they even reach high school.
Redefining the Tour Stop: From Competition to Classroom
The 2026 season moves beyond the ropes, integrating “Youth Impact Zones” at every tournament. These are not standard clinics; they are immersive professional environments where middle school athletes:
- Shadow Pro Routine: Observe professional warm-ups and yardage-book sessions to demystify the “pro” experience.
- Direct Mentorship: Engage in “Hole 19” Q&A sessions with collegiate stars and touring pros.
- Path Mapping: Receive tangible resources on NCAA recruiting, equipment grants, and the SGT’s proprietary developmental pipeline.
“We have to stop meeting girls at the finish line and start meeting them at the starting line,” says Tarek DeLavallade, Sapphire Golf Tour Commissioner. “Talent is universal, but context is not. If a young girl doesn’t see a woman who looks like her earning a check on the 18th green by age 12, she won’t imagine herself there at 22. We are making ambition actionable.”
The 2026 “Pathways” Schedule
The Sapphire Golf Tour’s 2026 season intentionally aligns with major cultural and sporting touchpoints to maximize community density and media visibility.
- Memphis, TN (April): The Season Opener at Links at Pine Hill.
- Denver, CO (May): Aligned junior golf clinic with Denver Public Schools
- New Orleans, LA (July): Synchronized with the Essence Festival of Culture.
- Chicago, IL (July): Partnering with local youth programs during WNBA All-Star Week.
- Atlanta, GA. (August): Collaboration with local LPGA Girls Golf Program
- Bowie, MD (September): The SGT Tour Championship at Enterprise Golf Course.
Investment in the Ecosystem
The “Starting Line” initiative is supported by the Sapphire Founders Club, a $1.75 million fund dedicated to removing the financial barriers that plague the developmental ranks of women’s golf. By stabilizing the professional level, the SGT provides a visible, thriving destination for the young girls entering the pipeline today.
ABOUT SAPPHIRE GOLF TOUR The Sapphire Golf Tour is the premier professional developmental circuit dedicated to creating a sustainable pathway for Black women in golf. By combining elite competition with intentional community integration, SGT is diversifying the face of the game and securing the economic future of its players.
- Tickets & Sponsorships: Visit [sapphiregolftour.com/memphis]
- Media Inquiries: [info@sapphiregolftour.com]
