Mel Reid among several LPGA pros with pride in new yardage books

BELMONT, Michigan — A yardage book is one of the most essential things a professional golfer takes on the course with them, as critical as their caddy or even their golf bag.

On the inside, it contains every spec of information about any given hole, how the green rolls, where to hit it to set up the best approach, truly anything a golfer needs to know, it’s in those pages. So while what’s in between the cover of the book is paramount to success, but for Mel Reid what’s on the exterior is even more important.

Scrolled across the top of her book are the words “Be Proud. Be You,” with the colors of the pride flag subtly embedded in the white cover of the book. Reid, who came out as gay publicly in 2018, and several other LPGA and PGA pros used a less subtle pride flag cover during pride month in 2021. Last year’s edition was designed by Grant Thorton, one of Reid’s sponsors. For 2022, Grant Thorton approached the Englishwoman to help design the cover.

“They asked me to design it what I thought was a really cool opportunity and it’s just awesome to be part of something like that,” Reid said. “I think it’s extremely important.”

During the design process, she knew she didn’t want it to be as loud as last year’s full rainbow book. She also thought about how powerful words can be. So she decided to add text to the book.

The words can have a different meaning to anybody who sees them sticking out of Reid’s back pocket on the course. She didn’t intend them explicitly to be directed at the members of the LGBTQI+ community. The words just mean that no matter who you are, to be true to yourself regardless of how others are trying to treat you.

“[The inspiration came from] if everyone was just a little bit more comfortable in their own skin because people are very quick to judge, especially in golf,” Reid said. “Whether it be your sexuality, your gender, your race, your religion, I just feel like golf can be a little bit more inclusive.”

The book is being used by several ambassadors of Grant Thorton, an accounting firm, at the Meijer LPGA Classic this weekend. Reigning champion and Olympic gold medalist Nelly Korda is using the cover, as is her sister Jessica.

Jessica Korda, who currently sits at 8-under par in a tie for ninth at the West Michigan-based tournament, didn’t have to think twice about switching over her yardage book when approached about it. She’s also an ambassador for Grant Thorton and Reid is a good friend of hers.

Jessica Korda tees off during the Meijer LPGA Classic Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan. (Photo by Cody Scanlan/Holland Sentinel)

No matter who a person is, where they’re from or who they love, Jessica Korda knows that a person is a person and nobody should be looked down upon for who they are. She’s found that in the community on the LPGA Tour, but is hoping this yardage book cover helps it spread to the wider world.

” I mean, at the end of the day we’re all just trying to be ourselves, be accepted,” Jessica Korda said. “I’ve never looked at anyone any different than just for who they are, and that’s kind of one of the cool things about being out here. There are so many different personalities every week, different communities represented. That’s kind of how it should be. A human is a human.”

Reid, a four-time Solheim Cup team member, unapologetically loves who she is. Her hope is that every person that’s struggling to live their truth will feel a little bit more at home as themselves when they see her whip out her yardage book to get the distance to the pin.

For those who look down on others for who they are, Reid hopes seeing the book and the powerful women who carry it will convince them to educate themselves and realize the fundamental truth that Jessica Korda said on Thursday— that a human is a human.

“People are scared about certain things because they’re not educated on it, so I’m just trying to bring a little more awareness, just try to be a little more inclusive,” Reid said. “There’s so much judgment in this world and if you’re going to judge me based on who I love, then we have some serious issues, I think that more people need to love who they love and get on with it, no drama.”

Contact Assistant Sports Editor Will Kennedy at Will.Kennedy@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByWillKennedy and Facebook @Holland Sentinel Sports.