by Gene Webster Jr., a Native American and professional golfer from San Bernardino, was chosen by the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians to play in April’s PGA-Nationwide Tour Soboba Golf Classic.
As title sponsor of the Soboba Golf Classic, the tribe is given four exemptions into the tournament. Two must be given to a golfer who has PGA Tour status of some kind, whether it be on the Nationwide Tour or the PGA Tour, and the other two can be given to any golfer the tribe would like to see compete in the event. Webster, 23, received one of the unrestricted exemptions.
“It is … very exciting to find such a talented golfer who is Native American, which is important to our event,” said Bryan Addis, general manager of The Country Club at Soboba Springs in San Jacinto, where the fourth annual Soboba Golf Classic will be played April 2-8.
Rickie Fowler participated in the Soboba Golf Classic in 2009 and Notah Begay III was a special guest at the country club’s grand opening in 2007.
“If we get the opportunity to launch a young player’s career and follow in the footsteps of other great Native American golfers, we are going to take that opportunity,” Addis said.
Born and raised in San Bernardino, Webster is of Ojibwe, Oneida and Navajo descent. He began playing golf at age 8 at Shandin Hills Golf Club in his hometown. He was also an All-Star pitcher for Blake Little League, a quarterback for Jr. All-American football and played basketball.
Webster attended Arroyo Valley High School and won the San Andreas League Individual Championship for boys golf three years in a row.
He earned an athletic scholarship to Cal State San Bernardino, where he competed on the men’s golf team and received numerous awards.
Webster turned professional shortly after his collegiate career.
“I am very familiar with Gene and I think the tribe has made a fantastic choice,” Addis said. “He and I have spoken at different times in his young career and I think he is ready for the spotlight.”
When Webster was not busy competing in sports, he toured Indian Country on the Powwow Trail with his family. He grew up as a grass dancer and singer and now plays Native American flute music.
Webster’s dream is to become the top golfer in the world and the first Native American to win a major golf championship. He serves as a Native American Golf Ambassador, hosts junior golf clinics at various reservations and is a part-time teaching professional at Shandin Hills Golf Club.
“I am looking forward to contending for the Soboba Golf Classic championship in front of a home crowd, family and friends,” Webster said. “This is a building block/opportunity for me to gain some experience on a very high level. I am looking forward to the challenge. I’m very excited to represent the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indian nation, my nation and myself.”
An official event on the PGA-Nationwide Tour, the Soboba Golf Classic boasts a purse of $750,000, making it the third largest on the tour. The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators to the San Jacinto Valley.
For more information, visit www.sobobaclassic.net.
