Founder and principal of multiple enterprises, Ty DeLavallade is preparing for a new chapter in his efforts to expand access and create career opportunities for young golfers with the establishment of The GOLF Foundation. The new initiative led by the golf entrepreneur and longtime diversity advocate will create a charitable arm to support not only his Sapphire Tour, but also a much bigger vision that he has for developing the game.
In a leadership announcement shared on his LinkedIn page on October 13, 2026, DeLavallade revealed that he is stepping back from his day-to-day leadership responsibilities with the United Golfers Association (UGA) to concentrate on building The GOLF Foundation. He will serve as the organization’s Founder and interim Executive Director while a search takes place for a permanent executive director who can help expand its reach and impact.
The foundation’s name represents its central philosophy: Growing Opportunities and Launching Futures. Its mission is to create a more connected development pathway for golfers, bringing together youth programs, support for college athletes and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and resources for players pursuing professional careers. “Beginning November 1, the Foundation will accept tax-deductible charitable contributions supporting Youth Development, College & HBCU Pathways, Professional Player Support, the Sapphire Golf Tour, and the Memphis Golf Initiative,” says DeLavallade.
For DeLavallade, the new organization represents an opportunity to build upon years of experience working to address longstanding gaps in golf’s development pipeline. Rather than focusing on a single stage of a golfer’s journey, The GOLF Foundation is intended to connect opportunities from early exposure to the game through collegiate competition and professional aspirations.
“There comes a time when you realize the work you started has prepared you for the work you are meant to lead next,” DeLavallade wrote in his announcement.
The statement signals a transition in leadership, but not a departure from the mission that has defined his work in golf. His next chapter builds on the relationships, partnerships and lessons developed through the revitalization of the UGA and his broader entrepreneurial activities in golf, marketing and golf-related products.
Building a More Connected Golf Pipeline
The GOLF Foundation’s central premise is that talent should not be limited by a player’s financial circumstances or geographic location. Young golfers can demonstrate ability and dedication but still encounter obstacles in obtaining instruction, equipment, tournament experience, travel assistance, college recruitment exposure and professional development resources.
These barriers can become particularly challenging for families navigating competitive golf for the first time. Participation requires more than the ability to play well. It often involves significant expenses, access to experienced coaches, opportunities to compete against strong fields and connections to people who understand the pathways into college and professional golf.
The foundation aims to bring these elements together through a coordinated approach to development. “Where someone lives or what they can afford should never determine how far their talent can take them,” DeLavallade stated in his LinkedIn announcement.
That principle places affordability and access at the center of the organization’s proposed work. Its three broad areas of focus are youth development, assistance for collegiate and HBCU golfers, and resources for players working toward professional careers.
For young golfers, that means strengthening the early stages of participation and development. For college players, it means supporting athletes as they pursue competitive opportunities and prepare for life beyond college. For aspiring professionals, it means helping address the practical and financial challenges associated with advancing through competitive golf.
The foundation’s challenge will be to connect these different stages into a sustainable structure that allows players to progress rather than encounter a new set of barriers at every level.
