SAN FRANCISCO—LGBTQ golfers and allies gathered on the green Wednesday for the first-ever San Francisco Pride Pro-Am Golf Tournament, a historic fundraiser at TPC Harding Park.
The inaugural event was hosted by TPC Harding Park in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, the Northern California Professional Golfers Association and the First Tee of San Francisco. The TopGolf/Tom Smith team took top honors at the tournament, which featured more than 115 amateurs and 23 PGA professionals.
All proceeds from the one-day event benefit the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee, a nonprofit dedicated to education, the commemoration of LGBT heritage and to the celebration of LGBT culture and liberation.
“TPC Harding Park has a rich history as the only city-owned public course managed by the PGA. Golf legends such as Ken Venturi, Billy Casper and Tiger Woods all walked its fairways, and I’m thrilled it’s making history again as the site of Pride on the Green,” said SF Rec and Parks General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “It’s important to us to incorporate the inclusive spirit of Pride into our programming at the Recreation and Park Department. It’s our goal to make sure everyone has a chance to get out and play.”
Wednesday’s tournament took on a scramble format, upholding the fun and welcoming ambiance of SF Pride. Participants enjoyed an unforgettable round of championship golf on the same fairways slated to host the 2020 PGA Championship and the Presidents Cup 2025, followed by a silent auction and post-round dinner, courtesy of the club’s Cypress Grill.
“We are honored to be one of the first golf courses to host an LGBT fundraiser of this caliber,”said Tom Smith, TPC Harding Park general manager. “It’s humbling to be part of something this historic and witness the San Francisco community come together for such an important cause.”
Other Pride weekend attractions at Rec and Parks properties include the ongoing Stonewall 50 Year Anniversary Art and Pride Exhibit at the Harvey Milk Photo Center; the 16th Annual San Francisco Trans March at Dolores Park on Friday; the 27th San Francisco Dyke March at Dolores Park on Saturday, an LGBT Storytelling Circle with Stonewall OutLoud at the Harvey Milk Photo Center on Sunday; and the San Francisco Pride celebration at Civic Center Plaza both Saturday and Sunday.
“Visibility is key to our ongoing progress as a community,” said SF Pride Board President Jacquelene Bishop. “This opportunity is an important first step that we hope will grow into larger strides with a respected sporting institution such as the PGA.”