Tiger Woods names APGA's Beverly as 2022 Charlie Sifford recipient into Riviera

Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that Aaron Beverly will receive the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption into the 2022 Genesis Invitational.

“Like me, Aaron learned the game from his dad,” said Woods, who serves as host of the Genesis. “I know Charlie Sifford would be proud of Aaron as he makes his PGA Tour debut at Riviera next month.”

Since 2009 the honor has been given to a golfer representing a minority background to play in the annual PGA Tour stop at Riviera. Past recipients include Cameron Champ, Harold Varner III, J.J. Spaun and Joseph Bramlett.

A two-time Big Sky Player of the Year at Sacramento State University, Beverly has played on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica Tour and Makenzie Tour. Aaron also serves as an assistant club professional at Valley Hi Country Club in Elk Grove, California.

In November Beverly won the Fall Series finale on the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour, a circuit that provides a competitive environment for minorities—the tour is about 70 percent black with another 10 percent identifying as Latino—with reduced entrance fees. This after much of his season had been sidelined with a prolonged battle with COVID-19, which resulted in Beverly losing 17 pounds during his illness.

“Receiving the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption and having the opportunity to play in The Genesis Invitational is a true honor and the opportunity of a lifetime,” Beverly said. “This is the moment all my hard work and dedication has been preparing me for and I look forward to competing at Riviera.”