SAN FRANCISCO — Mel Reid’s hat has made a statement before at major championships. At times, she has worn a blank hat while in contention. Sponsorships can be hard to come by in the women’s game, even for Solheim Cup veterans.
Beginning this week at the U.S. Women’s Open, Reid’s hat will feature Pega’s Pride logo throughout LGBT Pride Month in June. In Pega, Reid not only found financial backing, but a partner that supports her passion to promote diversity and inclusion. That hasn’t always been the case with past sponsorships.
“It’s awesome,” said Reid. “It’s one of the first times that a pride logo has been displayed in our sport.”
LPGA golfer Mel Reid at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. (Gabe Roux/LPGA)
Pegasystems Inc., an American company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, develops software for customer relationship management, digital process automation and business process management.
Reid and PGA Tour player Marc Leishman are the company’s inaugural brand ambassadors.
“Whether in golf or business, crushing complexity is critical to driving success and performance,” said Tom Libretto, chief marketing officer, Pegasystems. “Marc Leishman and Mel Reid are the perfect partners to help us carry this message to businesses and people around the world. We look forward to supporting these two highly-focused pros as they help bring our message into the mainstream. We are especially excited to bring the Pega Pride logo to professional golf to coincide with Pride month in June.”
Reid, 33, is also a pro ambassador for Athlete Ally, an organization that works to educate athletic communities to champion LGBTQI+ equality. She hopes that her hat this week will help spark conversation.
“It’s basically about inclusion,” said Reid, who is engaged to Carly Grenfell. “I am gay, but it’s not just about that. It’s bringing a little bit more inclusion in all kind of ways – more diversity.”
Reid, who is currently ranked 33rd in the world, broke through with her first LPGA title last fall at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Her best finish at a major championship to date is a share of third at the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine. She’s making her sixth USWO appearance this week at Olympic. Reid and swing coach Jorge Parada have worked to correct an early extension in her golf swing.
“My practice is going really well,” said Reid, “probably the most comfortable I’ve been in a while.”