Genesis Open contributes to Earl Woods Scholar Program Expansion, Success
After 93 years of unforgettable experiences and charitable giving, the Genesis Open continues to identify local needs and invest in a brighter future for underrepresented youth. As guests travel to The Riviera Country Club to enjoy all the event’s festivities, the dollars spent and raised will benefit educational programs that open doors and change lives.
The 2019 edition of the Genesis Open, set to take place February 11 – 17, will be the third hosted by Tiger Woods, and all proceeds will support his charity, TGR Foundation. With a mission to empower students to pursue their passions through education, TGR Foundation has supported 218 students into one of its signature programs developed in honor of Tiger’s dad, Earl.
The Earl Woods Scholar Program guides students through their four years of college and beyond with a one-to-one philosophy and encompasses mentorships, internship assistance, and career building opportunities. Since 2006, it has become one of the top scholarship programs in the U.S., with 97% of students accepted being the first in their families to attend college. The Earl Woods Scholar program is expanding thanks in part to the success of the Genesis Open. In the spring of 2018, it welcomed its inaugural cohort of scholars from Los Angeles into the program.
“The exposure and financial support TGR Foundation receives from the Genesis Open allows us to deepen and grow our educational programs and support more students and educators throughout Southern California and the world,” said Rick Singer, President & CEO of TGR Foundation.
With the expansion of the scholar program into LA, more students from underrepresented neighborhoods will have opportunities to work toward their dreams. The Los Angeles cohort of five students represents the diversity of the city as well as the many challenges families and youth face on a daily basis.
“After seeing the hardships my mother has endured, I am passionate about acquiring a solid education in order to break the cycle of poverty,” said Dulce Rubio, a freshman at Wesleyan University.
Each student has overcome adversities in their life to achieve success in high school and gain acceptance into prestigious universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Boston College, Dartmouth College, and Wesleyan University.
“Coming from a neighborhood where only 4.8% of its population holds a bachelor’s degree, I want to beat the statistics and be unique,” said Sergio Vazquez, a freshman at Dartmouth College.
In addition to providing financial and moral support through scholarships and dedicated mentors, the Earl Woods Scholar Program develops confidence and the skills scholars need to thrive in school and life.
“My confidence has increased a lot since I was selected as a scholar,” said Abraham Martinez, a freshman at UCLA. “I didn’t think I was capable of getting a scholarship like this. It gave me confidence going into college.”
From Los Angeles to Hanover, NH Melissa Barales-Lopez is setting another family milestone. After being the first of her immediate family to graduate from high school, Melissa transitioned into a new state and chapter of her life. She currently studies government in her freshman year at Dartmouth College.
Although their journeys are just beginning, these scholars represent the value Genesis Open brings to Los Angeles beyond a week-long tournament.
Redefining what it means to be a champion.