OUR STORY

   

About Me-David Swanson

 A silver spoon, nope, a golf club, yep…! For as long as I can remember I’ve had a golf club in my hands. Golf is my passion and the pursuit of my passion has definitely shaped the way that I have lived my life. In my 40+ years in this game everything has revolved around golf, from making the decision to retire just shy of a decade as a Chicago Police Officer to pursue P.G.A Tour qualifying, to making the decision to live on the East side of Chicago, where I can readily access my favorite golf and practice facilities.

     Both of these decisions were great life experiences and lessons all day everyday, but it was the butt kicking that came from Tour Qualifying school that definitely made me a better golfer.

     Golf is truly a mirror of life and individual expression. In both golf and life you should be in a mindset of 2 to 3 shots or steps ahead of where you are at any given moment. It’s that strategic but quiet mind that is the draw to this game for myself and many others I would suspect.

     Golf, as with anything, is always moving forward, setting trends and maintaining standards. As I have moved into the position of  Co-Founder and CEO of Medal Wear Golf I look forward to setting trends and standards as well as staying connected with the history of this great game. Besides bringing the world high quality performance fabrics, the objective as well here at Medal Wear Golf is to continue to carve out a spot within the golf industry that has not seen a fair share of diversity and equality.  Medal Wear Golf will honor and preserve the rich and storied history of the African American in professional golf, as well as push the golf envelope forward in fashion and style.

     Who remembers the first runner up at last years majors...?  Yeah me either.  To the victor, the winner, the medalist go the spoils. Be just that in style and comfort in Medal Wear apparel.

     So let’s meet on the tee, stick a peg in the ground and make a loop...get home in two, grab 3 legs of the rabbit and go 3 up with 2 to play. All the while looking damned good  doing it!!  

Big Dave is what they call me.

 

 

About Me - Edith Gayle

 My name is Edith Gayle, and I am the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Medal Wear Golf.

 By day, I am an HR specialist, and by night, I immerse myself in the worlds of sound therapy, herbalism, and brand building. The inspiration to start Medal Wear Golf stemmed from my desire to support my partner in rekindling his passion for golf. After experiencing significant changes in his life, I wanted to help him reconnect with the sport he loves, where he finds joy in teaching others and dreams of playing on the Senior tour. One day, holding a hat in my hand, I asked him what he would put on it if it were his brand. To my surprise, he had a brilliant idea. From there, I made a few calls, we collaborated on the details, and Medal Wear Golf was born on December 26, 2021.

 My vision for Medal Wear Golf is to create a dynamic lifestyle clothing brand that blends bold, colorful, edgy, and performance-driven apparel. I aim to design collections that transcend generations and promote our mission of inclusion. Through the brand, I hope to honor our commitment to preserving and strengthening the presence of diversity within the sport of golf, and to create opportunities for our families to experience entrepreneurship.

 Throughout my  journey with Medal Wear Golf, I  have learned the importance of knowing my role but also being flexible to work where needed. I  prioritize creating a balanced atmosphere, steering clear of the 24-hour hustle and grind culture. One of the aspects I enjoy most about working in the golf apparel industry is the creative process of designing our own products, which allows us to expand our imagination. Meeting new golfers and hearing their stories and struggles is both enlightening and inspiring.

 The recent rebranding of Medal Wear Golf was an opportunity to breathe new life into the brand and infuse it with more creativity. I love that we kept with  the bold colors and added the cool, flat dimple textured look of our new logo. Moving forward, my personal goal is to engage more with communities where young golfers are, to draw fashion design inspiration from them, and to continue growing the brand.

 I see Medal Wear Golf making a significant impact by promoting diversity and inclusion in the sport of golf. I am passionate about creating a brand that resonates with golfers of all backgrounds and ages, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Through our efforts, we hope to inspire and support the next generation of golfers.