Michelle Wie West and Excel Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
The Month of May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To commemorate the history and contributions of Asian American communities in the U.S, five-time LPGA Tour winner and Excel client, Michelle Wie West, joined us to discuss her Korean heritage, career as a professional golfer, off-the-course business endeavors, and advocacy for women’s inclusion in all professions.
At just 10 years old, Wie West was the youngest golfer to qualify for a USGA amateur championship, the first step in a historic LPGA career. While focused on success on the course, she also used her spotlight to make an impact off of it, and continues to do so as she steps away from playing, acting as a vocal advocate for creating inclusive environments for women and the Asian American community in golf and beyond.
During her conversation, Wie West shared challenges Asian Americans have had to combat over time, particularly focused on the dangerous impact of microagressions, and emphasized the importance of education and awareness to help people avoid hate. As the evolution of minority representation in golf increases, Wie West hopes that these efforts can pave a smoother path for the next generation of pro and amateur golfers.
Next up for Wie West is acting as brand ambassador for Mizuho and working to bring a groundbreaking women’s golf event to life – the Mizuho Americas Open. This first of its kind format will feature 120 LPGA players and 24 top-ranked junior girls who are a part of the American Junior Golf Association. The pros and juniors will play alongside each other at the iconic Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey, showcasing the best in women’s golf and inspiring the next generation of stars. Mizuho Americas is also picking up the tab for travel for the entire field.
Wie West’s impact on the game of golf stretches far beyond holes one through 18. While she does still plan on playing, the next great win for her will be bettering the future of both golf and society.
