Elysian Park Ventures Makes Golf Play

The investment branch of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ ownership group and PGA of America have teamed up for a venture to spur innovation in the $84 billion golf industry.

Elysian Park Ventures and PGA of America have already used the EP Golf Ventures partnership that was announced Wednesday to invest in AI swing-analysis company Sportsbox and mobile golf simulation firm Dryvebox.

Financial terms of those investments, as well as how much money Elysian Park Ventures and the PGA seek to dedicate to the partnership, were not disclosed. 

The PGA of America partnership is the latest “future of sports” play for Elysian Park Ventures. 

• Elysian Park Ventures was part of a $11.5 million Series A funding round for Fittr, a fitness and nutrition platform, in September 2021.  
• In April, it teamed up with Billie Jean King Enterprises, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and R/GA Ventures to launch Trailblazer Venture Studio, a sports and women-focused studio.
• Elysian Park Ventures’ other investments include SeatGeek, the Professional Fighters League, and DraftKings.

PGA of America — which has nearly 28,000 members composed of coaches and others who seek to grow golf in the U.S. — has been run separately from the PGA Tour since 1968. 

Nurturing Golf Innovations

“Through EP Golf Ventures, we will be able to identify and invest in the most promising businesses within the golf industry to support both innovation and the growth of the game, as well as create long-term value for PGA Professionals,” PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said.