The Sapphire Golf Tour is emerging as a transformative platform in women’s professional golf, addressing one of the sport’s most persistent equity gaps — the lack of Black women competing at the highest levels. The Sapphire Golf Tour Commissioner Tarek DeLavallade announced on LinkedIn three days ago that the Tour is currently forming local Host Committees in six cities: Memphis, Denver, New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, and Maryland. “—and we’re inviting leaders, connectors, and community members to step up,” stated the Commissioner. Local Host Committees will help shape the experience through sponsorship introductions, community partnerships, event energy+hospitality, local visibility+influence, creating an unforgettable experience, the post read. The Commissioner’s goal is on a path to build something historic in each city while elevating women’s professional golf nationally.
Historically, representation on the LPGA Tour has been strikingly limited. That participation gap has translated into limited visibility at the professional level. Since the groundbreaking career of Althea Gibson, who broke racial barriers in the 1960s, only a handful of Black women, eight, have competed on the LPGA Tour. In recent seasons, there have been years when no Black American women held full LPGA Tour status.
The Sapphire Golf Tour was created to change that narrative. By building competitive playing opportunities, sponsorship pathways, and community-centered events, the tour is creating the infrastructure necessary for elite Black women golfers to develop, compete, and be seen. Access, visibility, and financial support are critical stepping stones to qualifying for major tours, and Sapphire is positioning itself as that bridge.
Beyond competition, the tour integrates culture, mentorship, and economic inclusion. It brings women’s professional golf directly into communities that have historically been underrepresented in the sport. Its events blend high-level competition with hospitality, networking, and cultural celebration — expanding the audience while deepening engagement. The more resources and community involvement invested, the stronger the platform becomes for players and fans alike. For more information, message the Commissioner directly on LinkedIn or to join a Host Committee, visit: https://volunteer.sapphiregolftour.com/sapphire-golf-tour—volunteer-committee-page
