The APGA Tour now has a new sponsor.
The APGA, a non-profit organization dedicated to diversifying golf, has partnered with Cisco to improve the APGA, its tour, and its efforts to develop the game. Kevin Hall, Aaron Beverly, Olajuwon Ajanaku, and current Michigan State senior Troy Taylor II (through NIL) are among the four APGA members who have joined Cisco’s roster of ambassadors, which also includes Viktor Hovland, Maverick McNealy, Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, and APGA player Kamaiu Johnson.
“We’re excited to deepen our commitment to golf and collaborate with the APGA on a shared vision of fostering more diversity in the game we all love,” said Mark Patterson, Cisco’s SVP and Chief of Staff to the Chair and CEO. “We’re ecstatic to welcome Kevin, Aaron, Troy, and Olajuwon to Team Cisco and to help them reach their goals both on and off the course. Today’s announcement is another significant step toward our goal of enabling a more inclusive future for all.”
Cisco will continue to be the presenting sponsor of the Billy Horschel APGA Invitational, which starts on Wednesday at TPC Sawgrass, but will now also be the title sponsor of the Cisco Invitational at Baltusrol, which will take place Aug. 11-13 in New Jersey. Both events will have large prizes, as well as off-course enrichment and development opportunities such as professional and personal development classes, mentoring, and networking events with business and golf industry leaders.
Other new Cisco-backed initiatives include the inauguration of a four-event APGA Junior Series and the establishment of the Adrian Stills Award, which will be given to the player who most demonstrates character and sportsmanship, as decided by a panel of judges and voted on by other players.
“Cisco has demonstrated a genuine desire to assist in the creation of chances for players from a variety of backgrounds and to have a positive impact on the game as a whole,” said APGA Tour CEO Ken Bentley. “We appreciate their support of the APGA with two headline events that will benefit our players both in terms of competition and personal development.” Cisco is implementing programs that illustrate how the APGA Tour is changing the sport, with their increased support of kids in the game and recognition of the job our players are doing in terms of community impact.”
