The Tiger Woods Foundation has hired Dave Klewan to be general manager of the Genesis Open, the annual PGA Tour event that will be played Feb. 16-19 at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.
Klewan will lead the on-site Genesis Open office that will focus on growing community support and new business opportunities.
“I am grateful to be afforded the opportunity to work with the Tiger Woods Foundation in conjunction with the Genesis Open,” Klewan said about the event formerly known as the Northern Trust Open, Nissan Open and Los Angeles Open. “I am excited about embarking on a new opportunity and helping to develop the next chapter for this event.”
Prior to joining the Tiger Woods Foundation, Klewan spent nearly 15 years working in sports in the L.A. area, most recently as general manager of the World Series of Beach Volleyball & Management Plus Enterprises. He also was part of the management team for three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings.
“The success of the Genesis Open is dependent upon a strong local leader and we are delighted to welcome Dave to our team,” said Mike Antolini, vice president of championships for the Tiger Woods Foundation, which is based in Irvine. “With Dave’s experience and knowledge of Los Angeles, we are well positioned to grow the tournament and deepen the positive impact made in the community.”
The Genesis Open, title sponsored by the luxury car brand, celebrated its 90th playing in 2016, with Bubba Watson winning the event for the second time. With the Tiger Woods Foundation serving as host organization and primary benefiting charity, proceeds from the tournament benefit the foundation’s college-access programs in the Southland.
The Tiger Woods Learning Center, which serves students in Anaheim, Philadelphia, Washington and Stuart, Fla., is designed to prepare students for today’s jobs and the ones that don’t exist yet. Serving students in grades 5-12, the curriculum and culture fosters development of the complete person while providing critical STEM skills and college prep. With the highest graduation rate in the U.S., the Earl Woods Scholar Program currently has 149 students attending universities nationwide.
CHARITABLE ARM REBRANDED
Tiger Woods’ charitable event company has been rebranded as TGR Live. The former Tiger Woods Charity Event Corporation was started in 1996 to conduct fundraising events in support of the Tiger Woods Foundation.
TGR Live currently operates three PGA Tour events: the Quicken Loans National in Washington, D.C.; the Genesis Open in Pacific Palisades; and the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas; in addition to events that include Tiger Jam in Las Vegas and the Tiger Woods Invitational in the Monterey Peninsula.
“TGR Live has been integral to the success of the Tiger Woods Foundation,” said Rick Singer, CEO of the Tiger Woods Foundation. “TGR Live has raised millions for charity over the years, creating an enormous impact on youth education.”
Under the umbrella of TGR are Woods’ golf course design business, TGR Design; The Woods Jupiter, his first restaurant; the Tiger Woods Foundation, which is based in Irvine and operates the TGR Learning Lab, TGR EDU and the Earl Woods Scholar Program.
