Hey Golf Digest Readers,

I am so very grateful to be on the June cover of Golf Digest and share my love of the sport with all of you.

I started playing golf with my dad, Dell, when I was 10 years old. My dad played in the NBA for 16 years, and it was his time with my brother Seth and I off the court where we fell in love with golf. It started with driving the cart around and using my cut-down putter, enjoying the excitement and challenge of learning this beautiful game. I fell in love with it and knew it would be a huge part of my life.

Golf has always been one of the most powerful vehicles to spark professional and social conversations. It teaches so many life skills that are transferable. It is my second passion, my second love. Some might even argue I like golf more than basketball. It is always how I enjoyed my time away from the court.

But golf is a very different sport compared to basketball when it comes to access and opportunity. I believe that we have the power to grow the game of golf by providing equity, access and opportunity to young golfers who have that same passion, dedication and determination as so many of us who are already playing.

For the June cover story, I spoke with Golf Digest about how and why I created UNDERRATED Golf with my team to help uplift and inspire underrepresented individuals who have yet to gain equal access to the sport and the opportunities that come with it. There are certain barriers of entry to golf – financial resources, access to courses, equipment, coaching. For the vast majority of the population, there’s an inability to keep up with their more privileged counterparts.

With UNDERRATED Golf, we give athletes the platform to showcase their amazing skill sets and who they are as people. And from that, we can create more opportunities for them at various collegiate levels. It’s time that we level the playing field, and ensure these student-athletes throughout the U.S. and Europe have the critical tools and skills for a successful future.

I am excited and humbled to see where this next generation of golfers take the sport. I hope to continue to inspire and influence these amazing young men and women and create new opportunities for their pathways forward.

With warm regards,
Stephen