Forging Firsts: Melvin Gordon and Noe Vital

"Forging Firsts" is a series that shares the stories of individuals who have accomplished remarkable achievements in their journeys. Each story, talks about when they became the “first” whether that is breaking records, facing challenges, or creating new paths. The series explores how these experiences helped them grow personally, uncovering new strengths and depths within themselves. "Forging Firsts" highlights the meaningful impact they have and how they’re inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. 

This story follows the perspectives of two different UW-Madison alumni looking to change the way the sport of golf is viewed. Noe Vital, a business school graduate, and his friend Melvin Gordon, a Badger football legend.  
 

Noe – Growing up, I never really considered golf as a traditional sport. To me, it was a status symbol. As a young Latino kid, I was encouraged to play soccer, football and basketball – sports I thought were suitable for someone like me. That sentiment was echoed by my friends, parents and other kids at school. it wasn’t until college that I even stepped foot on a golf course. As a business major, I saw golf as a tool for making connections, and that’s all I initially thought golf was good for.   

Melvin - For me, sports were about wearing jerseys, getting dirty and forming bonds with teammates on the field. Polo shirts were something I wore before the game, not during. As a kid, golf was out of reach – one of many sports I never considered because my family couldn’t afford it. I never saw anyone with dreadlocks and tattoos on the golf course. Never saw people who looked like me. So, I assumed golf wasn’t for me.  

Noe - During my time golfing in California, I stopped trying to fit into the mold of what I thought an ideal golf player was. Instead, I started to just be myself. I wore my Jordan’s on the course, played my music, and brought my own vibe. Golf became fun once I allowed myself to be me. At one of our annual meetups, the guys and I went to Top Golf. I was enjoying myself, but the rest of the guys weren’t really into it. That all changed when we found the cornhole set downstairs. 

I’m sure many people wonder how I even got connected with these guys. At first glance, we seem different - they all play football, and I don’t. However, after partnering with defensive back Dezmen Southward for a class project, we really hit it off, and he introduced me to the rest of team. Witnessing the competitive spirit in the guys was amazing. Swinging golf clubs didn’t ignite it, but cornhole certainly did. We played for over two hours, talking trash, tossing bags and laughing. Their enjoyment made me realize that this is what golf needs - different demographics bringing their unique vibe to the sport. We don’t need to conform to golf; golf needs to conform to us.   

Melvin - Golf still wasn’t my thing, but I enjoyed being with the guys so much that when Noe brought us all together one day and told us about his idea for a golf company, I listened. He explained how together we could change golf to appeal to diverse backgrounds. By sharing our own experiences, we can show that golf can be for everyone. At that point, I didn’t know exactly what my role could be, but I joined anyway to support my friends. It sounded like a good cause - maybe I’d have been more into golf if I’d seen someone who looked like me playing when I was growing up. One thing I knew was that our vibe was special. Our group had a way of going to the golf course and leaving as our authentic selves, with no need for code switching in between. It’s what I’m used to as an athlete - just having fun with my teammates and being myself. We were Vibez.  

Noe - Shortly after Vibez Golf Club was founded in the summer of 2021, we started hosting events and playing as much as possible. Our mission is to break down assumptions and misconceptions surrounding golf and pave the way for new demographics and individuals. We want to create awareness for golfers like us - golfers who celebrate, who wear hoodies and Jordans, who want to bring a different energy to the game. We want people to see that golf is just as viable of a sport to play as basketball or football. 

We began by playing tournaments in Madison and Milwaukee and posting our vibes on social media: cool photos, videos of us celebrating and dancing - anything to expose people to golf and Vibez. Sometimes we took a more direct approach. While Melvin was playing for the Broncos, we hosted a tournament in Denver with other NFL players and partnered with the Boys and Girls club to teach young kids how to play golf. I remember telling those kids that Melvin played golf and watching their eyes light up in disbelief. They couldn’t believe that someone they saw as a football player also played golf - a sport that seemed so unfamiliar to them.  

Melvin - The kids' event in collaboration with the First Tee Program in Denver was a turning point for me. Golf was already starting to grow on me. Being myself on the course and sharing that experience with my guys made it a lot of fun, but I was becoming more competitive as well. I wanted to win and talk trash while doing it. However, it was seeing the impact we had on those kids that clarified our mission for me. After the event, we received tons of feedback from parents telling us their children had suddenly taken an interest in golf, despite previously showing no interest. They had been given an opportunity they might not have otherwise had, which resonated deeply with me and reminded me of my own childhood. 

Growing up, I didn’t play golf due to a lack of exposure to the game and the high costs associated with it. Back then, golf didn’t appeal to me but after finding my own vibe and playing with a variety of people, I wish I had started earlier. I’m proud to know we’re making a difference for kids who grew up like I did.  

Noe - We’ve participated in many tournaments and events since then. Earlier this year, we partnered with WNBA basketball player Arike Ogunbowle to host our second Her Vibez event in Dallas, TX. It was a fantastic opportunity to introduce more women to golf, many of whom had never played before. After the event, I noticed several Dallas Wings women players showcasing their new interest in golf.  

Another highlight was our visit to the 3M Open, where we hosted a panel for kids who attended. Speaking with them, I realized many had never considered golf due to various reasons: financial barriers, lack of exposure, and non-diverse representation, among others. Moments like these reinforce my pride in what Vibez has become. Reflecting on our journey, it’s amazing to see where we are now. When we started, no one was enjoying our time playing golf, and now we all own a golf company. Over time we’ve evolved from casual golfing to partnering with the PGA. I’ll be able to reflect and see that Vibez has truly made an impact when I witness a diverse array of people playing in the Master’s. 

Melvin - For years, I focused primarily on being the best football player I could be, never really considering a plan B. Now as a founding member of a golf company with a great cause, I’ve learned how shared values amongst a group of people can help shape new paths for others. 

Who knows? By the end of this journey, I might be more known for Vibez than for my football career. After seeing the kind of impact I’ve already made, I don’t think that would be such a bad thing.