Tarek
DeLavallade
Founder & Interim Executive Director
The GOLF Foundation
Entrepreneur. Golf executive. Advocate for opportunity. Tarek’s journey connects the business of golf with a commitment to helping more people find their place—and their future—in the game.
Access.
Opportunities.
Generational Legacy.
Opening doors.
Building what comes next.
Tarek DeLavallade has built his career where golf, business and community meet. His work spans golf accessories, branded merchandise, tournament experiences, nonprofit leadership and professional player development.
Across those experiences, a consistent purpose has emerged: expanding access, visibility and resources for people who have historically faced barriers to advancement in the sport.
That purpose led him to establish The GOLF Foundation—a platform designed to connect an introduction to golf with mentorship, education, college and career pathways, and opportunities that can benefit generations.
From building brands
to building pathways.
Entrepreneurship
Understanding the business of the game
In 2019, Tarek founded Deuce, a premium golf accessories brand connecting style and functionality for modern golfers. His work through Fent Promo and Swag Bags extended that experience into branded merchandise, golf tournament gifting and event experiences. Together, these ventures gave him a practical foundation in brand building, partnerships and the relationships that help golf businesses grow.
United Golfers Association
Honoring a legacy.
Expanding access.As Executive Director of the United Golfers Association, Tarek helped lead and build an organization rooted in the history of Black golf. His work focused on programming, partnerships, mentorship, player development and junior and collegiate pathways. That experience reinforced the importance of preserving golf’s history while creating resources and opportunities for the next generation. He is stepping back from day-to-day UGA leadership to focus on The GOLF Foundation.
Sapphire Golf Tour
Creating a stage for women of color
As Founder & Commissioner of Sapphire Golf Tour, Tarek created a professional developmental platform to expand competitive opportunities, visibility and support for Black and Latina women pursuing careers in golf.
The tour’s approach brings together player, personal and professional development—recognizing that advancing in golf takes more than a scorecard. It takes preparation, relationships, resources and a place to compete.
The GOLF Foundation
Connecting the pathway
As Founder & Interim Executive Director, Tarek is bringing these experiences into a broader mission: helping people move from first exposure to meaningful opportunity. The Foundation’s vision links community access with youth development, college and HBCU pathways, career exploration and professional player support.
A national vision.
A community starting point.
Through the Memphis Golf Initiative, the Foundation is developing a community hub for a larger vision: making golf a pathway to learning, relationships, leadership and future opportunity.
The “1,000 kids. 1,000 swings. 1,000 days.” campaign gives that vision a clear starting point. Alongside early access, the Foundation is shaping support for HBCU and college athletes, including NIL education and opportunities, and pathways into careers and professional golf.
Tarek’s role is to bring people and resources together around that work—inviting donors, partners, educators, mentors and golf leaders to help build lasting opportunity.