Game Changers: How two tech giants are enabling opportunity for golfers on the APGA Tour
World Wide Technology and Cisco have been innovating together for over 25 years. Since then, WWT has become one of Cisco's largest and most strategic partners, driving value for our customers while helping them solve complex IT and business problems.
Along with a focus on IT innovation, they share a similar goal: to enable opportunity for all people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or beliefs. Let's explore how both companies are using their investments in golf to break down barriers and provide opportunities for minority athletes to achieve success and reach their dream of competing on the PGA TOUR.
The APGA Tour
Founded in 2010, the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour is committed to providing opportunities, fostering talent, and creating an inclusive environment where underrepresented golfers can thrive. Their mission is to bring greater diversity to golf through high-quality tournaments, an elite player development program, and partnerships with inner-city youth programs.
The Cisco Cup
Like the FedExCup on the PGA TOUR, Cisco is the presenting sponsor of the APGA Cisco Cup, a season-long points race on the APGA Tour. The race is based on performance at select tournaments during the regular season, with significant financial bonuses for top finishers. Additionally, Cisco is also focused on creating opportunities for APGA Tour players to connect with key industry and business professionals throughout the season as a way to support them both on and off the course.
World Wide Technology Player Development Program
The APGA World Wide Technology Player Development Program is an all-encompassing initiative to nurture and elevate APGA top performers to greatness. Through this program, selected members receive top-tier coaching and benefit from customized club fittings, fitness evaluations, mentorship opportunities, and more. We focus on developing skilled golfers and well-rounded individuals ready to succeed on and off the course.
To offer further support for WWT Player Development Program athletes, World Wide Technology provides the five players in the program who receive the highest finish in the Cisco Cup a chance to qualify for the World Wide Technology Championship on the PGA TOUR! Congratulations to Chase Johnson, Aaron Beverly, Quinn Riley, Rovonta Young, and Troy Taylor II for your outstanding play this season. We are excited to see you in Los Cabos, Mexico!
APGA Ascension Classic
One of the stops on the APGA Tour is at the historic Glen Echo Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, which is home to World Wide Technology's global headquarters. WWT decided to get involved and make an impact.
Often seen as one of the most challenging goals to achieve in professional sports, competing in a PGA TOUR event can be the opportunity of a lifetime. Not only are there financial incentives, but if you play well, you can gain entry to other tournaments and, ultimately, full-time status on the PGA TOUR.
With that in mind, WWT decided to offer the winner of the APGA Ascension Classic an exemption and a chance to live out their dream and compete with the best in the world at the World Wide Technology Championship!
This year's exemption was awarded to tournament champion Andrew Walker! Elaine Bauer, Sr Experiential Marketing Manager, Bob Ferrell, EVP, Global Human Resources and DE&I, and I personally congratulated Andrew in August on behalf of WWT and expressed our excitement to watch him compete.
Watch below to hear a few congratulatory words from Bob Ferrell during the APGA Ascension Classic trophy presentation.
Are you picking up what I'm putting down?
By investing in the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) alongside Cisco, we are investing in underrepresented communities and giving them an opportunity to make a difference in their lives and others.