Ray Mate’ And HypeGolf Took Us Out On The Course
I know what you’re thinking: ‘golf on the Monster Children website, what is happening?’
Well, believe it or not, it’s been happening. We got bitten by the bug over here in LA and we’ve all been golfing like we’re trying to start new careers and get on the tour. It’s like a virus spreading through the skate community, everyone has it or will get it soon.
When we were asked to put together a golf team for the Hypegolf scramble tournament, there was no reluctancy what-so-ever. Quite the opposite. We started training together, figuring out what we were going to wear, buying new golf gear and perfecting our swings, all with the full knowledge that us newcomers to the game had absolutely no chance of winning.
The team we put together was Ollie Clapin who keeps the roof over our heads in LA, Chad Huff, one of our very favourite visor adopting videographers, Josh Pall, pro skateboarder, framer, all round good at everything kinda guy and myself, and I’ve been stinking this place up for decades.
Amongst the people also out on the course there were more skateboarders than at a Street League with the likes of Nuge, Kader Sylla, Zion Wright, Jack Fardell (who got us the invite, thanks legend), Dan Plunkett, Curtis Buchanan, Scott Johnson, Jack Curtin and Tame Impala’s Cam Avery to name a few. We felt out of place and right at home all at once.
You’re lucky to get a sticker and a black eye at a skate product toss. Golf event goodie bags are unbelievable. We were all loaded up with brand new Samsung Galaxy phones and watches, Bang Olufsen speakers, towels, hats, tees, gloves, face product. It felt like Christmas as we are really starting to show and accept our ages. Chad even won the putting challenge and got a brand new putter, so we were off to a great start.
There were challenges and beers at every other hole to keep the spirits high and the format was a best ball situation to keep the game moving and the score cards low. It was an absolute cracker of a day although we probably came dead last and we will be saying yes to any golf invites for decades to come. If you’re reading this and want to challenge the Monster Children golf team, please reach out and we will get back to you immediately.
Two days later I found myself at another golf event put on by Metalwood and Stussy. I ran into Ray Mate who is at the helm of the Hypegolf ship and was able to pin him down for a quick interview about what he has got in motion and where it is going.
How did Hypegolf come about?
Oh wow. Hypegolf came up over a conversation after coffee. Kevin wanted to meet me and he wanted to talk about something and I didn’t realize that he was interested in doing some sort of golf media or anything in that route because streetwear, fashion an d footwear was more of his lane. We had a conversation about it and he said “I think we should have a voice in this”. Then he talked to me about creating the vertical and fast forward, we started February 2020 now it’s 2023, three years, 6 invitationals deep. Our invitationals have become international beyond North America, we also have invitationals in Japan and South Korea.
When do you think the temperature really shifted in golf where it seems to have taken this way more approachable lane than the country club.
To be completely frank it started a long long time ago, when (Tim) Gavin was playing and Eric (Koston) was playing even during 2000. It was kind of happening but people weren’t really talking about it. Everyone was low-key into golf. Tiger kinda helped the appeal of it being someone of color pushing golf in a really crazy direction.
What was the first brand that you saw step away from the traditional golf aesthetic.
I think Malbon and then Metalwood just because of the connection with cool and the connection with skateboarding, streetwear and art. Just like a different version of golf that’s not so vanilla.
What do you think are the main similarities between skating and golf?
I think the mentality attracts the same people. You can keep going and going until you get it right and also that level of support in the community is kind of what drives the whole thing. It's funny how there are a lot of skaters playing golf, the communities are very, very similar. It keeps you young and it’s a lot of fun where you get to hang out with your friends. It’s just a very similar thing. People think of country clubs like vert ramps but it’s actually very similar as far as attitudes.
Who’s the best skateboarder at golf?
Oh man, that’s a trick question. I think Sean’s (Malto) really good, Koston’s definitely good, actually Jack Curtin’s really good, I played with him in Vancouver. There’s a lot of skaters that are kinda ballers. I think Sean and Eric are definitely up there and I’m only saying that because I’ve seen them play and played with them before.
Send me out dog. Haha. Where are we now?
We’re at the Metalwood and Stussy event. Probably one of the coolest events out here. Everyones just hanging out, there’s like 12-somes going out. People are cheering for others on the tee box. It’s super relaxed, it’s almost like we’re at a skatepark.
Who won the Hypegolf Tournament?
Fardell and Malbon actually tied but Malbon won because of the handicap on a hole. It was pretty fuckin’ crazy. I’ve played with Jack before and jack doesn’t miss any putts from 6 to 7 feet. Malbon, he’s playing with his son and with his wife and he’s quite the golfer himself, so yeah, the Malbon’s took it.
What was the biggest success of the day?
The biggest success of the day was not getting shut down, the fire department came. Also we didn’t really have any drop off. Some of these things, people show up but head home or cancel last minute, so I think the highlight of the day was just having all of your friends and all your people having a good time and sticking around.
What’s one thing that you want to bring to the next one?
I think the next one I want to have a concert after. I think having someone like Nas perform or something, or Schoolboy Q or someone that plays golf, but I think a concert would be kind of sick.
