There was a time when the phrase 'real tree' described natural landscaping on the fairway and 'graphic tee' referred exclusively to the color and branding of your golf tee. With the help of Student's Golf, we're changing that, charting a new course for the future of golf culture; how it is perceived and who gets to play.
Video: Daniel Estrada @damndre, Elijah Breedlove @elijahhhhb, Cam Perez @cameronperez__
Ever since our Paris tourney, we had been hinting at the prospect of a 'field trip' stateside. And on November 9th over at the Bella Verde Golf Club in Montebello, California, the rangefinders finally aligned.
Featuring 16 2-person squads and a bunch of homies who were just happy to be on the grounds, we 86'd the notion of a traditional 18-hole tourney, opting for a Par 3 Showdown instead. The first round had our teams battling it out in a 'closest-to-the-pin' situation while the second round pitted the remaining 8 teams against each other in an alternate shot, single-elimination bracket until there was only one team left standing.
All the while, in addition to sponsor support from Top Golf, '47 Brand, Vans, Callaway, and Corona Premier, Acura pulled up in the new ZDX and offered it to anyone who managed a hole-in-one throughout tournament play. However, since no one was able to sink a miracle shot, all eyes were on Lou Lou Gonzalez and Sam Yi who pulled out a victory at the end of the day.
As a prize, since this is golf and all, the dynamic duo was awarded a pair of trophies. But these aren't some cookie-cutter awards from the local trophy engraver. Fresh off a recent Las Vegas Sphere installation and New York solo exhibition, visual artist FVCKRENDER created a custom design that genuinely doubles as a allotment of sculptural art, ready for any mantel, or marble pedestal.
And although the other participants weren't able to walk away with gallery-level mementos, Golf Kick spikes were there to convert your favorite Vans sneakers into cleats, Students Golf had a design station for on-site headcover customization (in addition to a 'lil' version for the kiddos), all while your friendly neighborhood Cheap Urlfreeze Jordan Outlet held down a pop-up shop with exclusive merch to commemorate the day.
So whether you participated in the tournament, were cheering from the sand trap, or are just here for golf's evolving ecosystem, thank you for your support, and stay tuned for the next event at a course near you.
Photos: Thomas Reiten @reiten
