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LIV Golf announced the official rebranding of Smash GC to OKGC, short for Oklahoma Golf Club. The move brings the team to the U.S. market for the first time as a LIV Golf franchise, and will officially debut at Maaden LIV Golf Virginia May 7-10.
The OKGC will be captained by 2023 LIV Individual Golf Champion Talor Gooch, originally from Midwest City, Oklahoma. In addition to Gooch at OKGC, team members include Jason Kokrak, Graeme McDowell and Harold Varner III. The rebrand pays homage to Gooch’s hometown roots and will allow the franchise to expand its ties in the United States market and boost its global and regional partnerships.
Gooch is also an alumnus of Oklahoma State University, one of the top Division I college golf programs. The connection between OKGC and the university will create a natural channel for player recruiting and fan engagement through top-tier programs such as Oklahoma State and the University of Oklahoma.
“This is incredibly meaningful to me. Oklahoma is where I grew up and where I learned to compete,” Gooch said. “To now represent this state through OKGC and carry that identity with us around the world is something I am very proud of. We are building a team that people can connect with, one that reflects Oklahoma pride, resilience and mentality wherever we go.”
This piece is in collaboration with LIV Golf.
