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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Genesis Invitational host Tiger Woods announced today that Aaron Beverly has received the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption to play in the annual golf tournament at The Riviera Country Club, slated for Feb. 17-20.
Since 2009, an exemption has been given to a golfer representing a minority background to play in the annual PGA Tour event at Riviera. In 2017, the exemption was re-named to honor the memory of Charlie Sifford, the first Black player to compete on the PGA Tour.
``Receiving the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption and having the opportunity to play in The Genesis Invitational is a true honor and the opportunity of a lifetime,'' Beverly said. ``This is the moment all my hard work and dedication has been preparing me for and I look forward to competing at Riviera.''
Beverly first had a golf club put in his hands at the age of three by his father Ron, a decorated college football coach in Northern California. After participating in ballet for 14 years, Beverly turned his focus to golf as a teenager and was coached by his father. He went on to become one of the most decorated collegiate players to represent Sacramento State.
Beverly most recently competed on the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour. In November, he won the APGA Tour's Fall Series finale at Wilshire Country Club, a four-time host of the L.A. Open -- which is now called the Genesis Invitational.
``I'm looking forward to welcoming Aaron Beverly to The Genesis Invitational as the 2022 Sifford Exemption,'' Woods said. ``Like me, Aaron learned the game from his dad. I know Charlie Sifford would be proud of Aaron as he makes his PGA Tour debut at Riviera next month.''
Last year's Genesis Invitational was played without spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tickets to this year's tournament are available at GenesisInvitational.com.