How PGA WORKS Fellow Tasita Garcia is paving her own way in the industry

Tasita Garcia is paving her own way through the golf industry.

Garcia, a PGA WORKS Fellow of the Southern California Section, has always had a passion for golf. Over time, that passion has turned into a desire to improve the industry that revolves around them.

Tasita started playing golf at a young age. They played through high school and eventually collegiate at Jackson State University. After graduating, she took a job in sales, but golf remained a part of her life.

“I didn’t want to be a trainer and I didn’t want to become a professional, so I worked in the sales and marketing industry,” she explained. “During that time, I volunteered for the First Tee job, but I loved what I was doing as a volunteer.”

The desire to work in the sport she loved stayed strong so she decided to leave sales behind and give it a try.

“I’ve started reaching out to people in the golf industry,” said Tasita. “I found out about the PGA WORKS Fellowship and when I found out more about it, I fell in love with the initiative, especially as a woman of color in golf.”

PGA WORKS is a strategic workforce diversification initiative in the golf industry. A goal that Tasita is passionate about on a personal level and highlights a flaw in the culture surrounding the game she loves.

“I felt like an anomaly everywhere,” she said. “When I was growing up, my family and I were often the only colored people on the course. At the first college I went to, I was the only black person on the team until I moved to Jackson State. I’ll still go to events with about 200 people and there will be 10 women and I’m still the only black person. “

These moments moved Tasita to find a deeper passion in her love for the game: making everyone feel included and able. Something to struggle with before finding PGA WORKS.

“I always knew that I wanted to work in golf. To be honest, I didn’t think it was possible. The PGA WORKS Fellowship was an opportunity for me that opened my eyes to the opportunity to work in a sport I loved. “

During her tenure in the Southern California Section, Tasita acquired an in-depth understanding of the ins and outs of a variety of positions, specialties, and skills that will help her pave her way forward.

“[My Fellowship] really rounded off my résumé. I did tournament operations. I hopped around the office so much. I don’t know everything, but I know a little bit about everything, “she said of the experience.” I was drawn to communication and marketing the most.

“I like content creation. I like social media. I like branding and anything tech and digital. That’s 100% my focus now.”

Now that she has found her niche, she plans to use these skills to carry PGA WORKS ‘initiative into the future.

“The ideal next step for me would be a creative marketing role, but ultimately I’d like to get into diversity and inclusion,” said Tasita. “Realizing programs like PGA WORKS. I want to do creative marketing that will help diversify the game of golf.”