INDIAN WELLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reliance Matrix, a national DEI Partner of the Epson Tour, will be presenting a Junior Golf Clinic for young members of the First Tee - Coachella Valley program as part of the 2024 Tour Championship at Indian Wells Golf Resort.
The Clinic will take place on Saturday, October 5th at 2:30 p.m. local time, and will feature Epson Tour professionals as instructors and facilitators. According to tournament leadership, First Tee - Coachella Valley (FTCV) members and local high school girls’ golf team students will serve as standard bearers for the tournament’s lead groups on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon for the third and final rounds of tournament play.
Reliance Matrix is a national leader in employee benefits and absence management, and in 2023 was named the #1 US absence management provider, by employees served, by Spring Consulting Group. This year Reliance Matrix began a three-year commitment as a national DEI partner of the Epson Tour. As such, a portion of sponsorship fees paid are allocated to directly lower tournament fees for the athletes, all of whom are competing to earn entry into next year’s LPGA Tour.
“We are thrilled to be a new and growing part of the Epson Tour family, particularly in a role where we can promote access and pay equity for world class female athletes,” said JoAnne Doyle, Vice President Group Sales for Reliance Matrix. One of few executive level sales leaders in the group insurance space, Doyle has presented recently on diversity in the industry and is hosting a group of national partners – both men and women – at the Championship.
“In addition to promoting women on and off the golf course, we have a long legacy of providing and promoting life-changing programs for students, especially in underserved areas,” she said.
Since 1996, tens of thousands of teens have benefited from Reliance Matrix Foundation’s cultural outreach programs that build self-esteem, enhance awareness of career opportunities and help develop critical thinking skills through long term partnership with extraordinary, world-renowned cultural institutions such as The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Ballet and The Philadelphia Zoo.
First Tee - Coachella Valley was established in 2008 and is one of 150 First Tee chapters now operating in the US, Canada and other international locations. During the most recent fiscal year FTCV had record registration in its after-school golf course programs and offered First Tee P.E. classes to 20,000 elementary school students in the Desert Sands and Palm Springs Unified School Districts. FTCV maintains partnerships with all three local Boys and Girls Clubs, the YMCA of the Desert, the Desert Hot Springs Recreation Center, We are One United, Variety of the Desert and also serves the East Valley Desert Recreation District Community Centers.
“We are excited to participate in the Epson Tour’s final 2024 stop at Indian Wells Golf Resort,” said Kyle Winn, Executive Director of First Tee – Coachella Valley. “Our First Tee kids are inspired by LPGA tour professionals and look forward to the clinic. FTCV is a proud charitable partner of this event and is thankful to the Epson Tour, the City of Indian Wells and Reliance Matrix for their support.”
“We are sending our best wishes to all the tournament’s players and look forward to participating in the Championship event for many years,” he added.
The Junior Golf Clinic will also be commemorated by a special donation to First Tee - Coachella Valley, made on behalf of the Tour Championship, Tour sponsor Epson, and Reliance Matrix.
“We are thrilled to have Reliance Matrix support the junior clinic at the Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells,” said Jody Brothers, Chief Business and Operating Officer of the Epson Tour. “I’ve been aware of the outstanding First Tee Program here in the Coachella Valley for a while and am thrilled that through the support of our partner Reliance Matrix, our athletes are able to connect with these outstanding young athletes during such an important week.”
About Reliance Matrix
Reliance Matrix delivers employee benefit, absence management and workforce productivity solutions through the financial stability of a top-rated insurance carrier, the proven innovation of an absence TPA, and the daily commitment of thousands of team members across America. Reliance Matrix is a proud member of the global Tokio Marine Group, one of the oldest, largest and most respected insurance organizations in the world. Find us at www.reliancematrix.com.
About First Tee
First Tee began nationally in 1997 as a partnership between the LPGA, Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, and USGA to make golf affordable and accessible for all kids. As the organization introduces the game, they also introduce a life skills curriculum that supports the development of values found within the game of golf, including honesty, integrity, perseverance and respect.
To learn more, volunteer, or donate in support of First Tee - Coachella Valley, visit www.ftcv.org or contact Executive Director Kyle Winn at kwinn@ftcv.org.
About the Epson Tour
The Epson Tour is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour and enters its 44th competitive season in 2024. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour’s mission is to prepare the world’s best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in prize money to $5 million awarded across 20 events in 2024. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 480 LPGA titles.
Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
