For many entrepreneurs, the path to starting a brand is a mix of passion, timing, and a willingness to take risks. For Matty the founder of Paré Golf, the journey began long before the brand came to life. A lifelong love of golf, a desire to merge streetwear and sports culture, and a deep connection to his Filipino heritage all came together to inspire something truly unique. Paré Golf isn’t just about golf apparel, it’s about creating a community that feels inclusive and authentic to himself, while pushing the boundaries of what golf fashion can be. In this interview, the founder shares the story behind Paré, how his Filipino roots influenced the brand, and his vision for the future of golf apparel.
What inspired you to venture into golf apparel? What was a particular moment or trend that sparked the idea for Paré?
I’ve always wanted to do something in golf. If you look at my phone notes, going back about 15 years, you’ll see me tossing around the idea of starting a brand or an apparel company. Whether it was streetwear, sneakers, or golf, I realized I could combine these passions. But I didn’t have the resources at the time.
For years, I focused on building my career, taking care of my family, and doing what I could manage. I was afraid to take the leap. Then, last year, I finally decided to go for it. I realised that if I didn’t try, I would regret it. Looking back now, I wonder why I waited so long.
Golf has always been a huge part of my life. I’ve been playing since I was eight, and back then, it wasn’t as popular. But I loved it, especially because of Tiger Woods. I admired him even more than Michael Jordan. He changed the game for me, and with my dad, cousins, and uncles pushing me, I got even more into the sport.
Now, about the brand: “Paré Golf.” In Filipino, “paré” is a term for a close friend, like “dude” or “bro.” Growing up, I heard it all the time, especially on the golf course with my dad and uncles. They’d greet each other with “Oi, paré, how’s it going?” or “Good shot, paré!” It felt like a natural fit, so I thought, why not use “paré”? It connects with Filipino culture, and it also works in golf, like “par.” That’s when the idea clicked for me, and I knew I had to go for it. From there, the ideas just kept coming.
As a creative, there’s that moment when you know you’re doing something right. Not just right, but something you enjoy and want to pursue. When you combine those feelings, the possibilities are endless. And that’s how “Paré Golf” came to be. Golf has grown so much, especially among younger and more diverse crowds.
How does paré tap into the shift and attract a new wave of golfer?
Growing up, I was the only Filipino, the only Asian on the golf team. Everyone else was white, so I always had this chip on my shoulder about being the only person of color. Golf has traditionally been a predominantly white sport, and I often felt like I stuck out. But despite that, I’ve always loved the game just as much as anyone else. It’s done a lot for me, both personally and professionally – it’s honestly been a huge factor in supporting my mental health.
That’s why my goal is to make golf more inclusive. The sport has often been seen as expensive and exclusive, which can make it hard for people to get into. I want to change that and make it more accessible to everyone. There’s also a lack of representation for the Filipino golf community, even though it’s huge, whether on the East Coast or in California. I wanted to create something that reflects us – something we can be proud of, even if the sport itself doesn’t always embrace us.
With Pare Golf, I want to show that we’re here to stay and that we welcome everyone. It means a lot when people from different backgrounds – like white people – wear my brand. It shows they not only appreciate it but are also embracing Filipino culture. To me, that’s a sign of success. Sure, I’m marketing to Filipinos, but I’m also marketing to everyone. If someone sees something of themselves in the brand, that’s all I could ask for.
A good story and solid design can connect with anyone. Just because my brand is rooted in Filipino culture doesn’t mean others can’t relate to it. I believe a lot of what I share resonates with people because it has real context, which makes it easier for them to understand and connect with.
Right now, storytelling is my main focus. I’m not tied to the typical seasonal calendar like most fashion brands; I launch when it feels right. Eventually, I’d love to do seasonal collections, but for now, I appreciate the freedom to create with purpose. I’m not just launching products to make a quick profit. It’s the opposite of the sneaker world, where hype drives sales and resellers capitalise on releases.
For me, it’s always been about launching things I genuinely like and know I’ll wear. If others connect with it, that’s amazing. Even if I sell just one item to someone I don’t know, that’s mission accomplished. There’s no better feeling than when a stranger sees the brand, buys something, and feels a connection. It’s hard to describe, but it’s one of the best feelings.
How did your Filipino roots influence the name Paré? And what does it mean to you? How do you want the brand to reflect your culture and heritage?
With Paré, the goal is to make it feel welcoming. That’s the main inspiration behind it. It’s kind of like what Ronnie Fieg did with Kith. The name Kith comes from “kith and kin,” meaning family and friends, and I wanted to bring that same sense of community to Paré. It’s not about copying Kith, but about creating a brand where people feel included. I want you to feel like you’re part of something, not just picking up a product from a brand you don’t know.
The word “Paré” comes from Filipino culture, but in golf, it also connects to “par.” When people make that connection, it’s like an “aha” moment. I love seeing that reaction, whether I explain it or they figure it out themselves. They’ll say, “Wow, that’s awesome!” And for me, that’s exactly what I’m aiming for with the name and the brand.
Sneaker culture is all about expression and individuality. How are you translating those values into the design of your apparel?
Oh, that’s a great question. Like anything, there will always be trends, and things always come back around. Right now, we’re in that early 2000s nostalgia era. I love it because it’s exactly what I grew up with, and Gen Z is eating it up, it’s like their version of the ’90s or the ’70s and ’80s. But from a golf perspective, I might have an unpopular opinion: I’ve always loved the styles that were out there, especially in the early 2000s.
I’ll always reference Tiger Woods, his outfits were, well, I don’t want to say out of control, but compared to everyone else, they were definitely different. Nike played a huge role in shaking up the market at that time, and I loved it. It was just like sneaker culture. When a new sneaker drops and shakes things up, you get excited, right? Well, I felt the same way about golf fashion back then.
I’ve always been a fan of the baggy, oversized look, nothing too tight. It’s funny now, because golfers used to hate the streetwear-inspired tight looks, but now it’s all the rage. You see so many joggers on the course, it’s crazy. Meanwhile, back when we were wearing Nike tech packs years ago, people thought we were weirdos. Now, it’s totally shifted.
What I’m seeing now, and what I’m trying to do, is push the conversation forward, alongside brands I admire like Malbon Golf, Metalwood Studios, Quiet Golf, and Eastside Golf. These brands are shifting the culture and showing golfers that they don’t have to look a certain way—they can look however they want.
It’s interesting how we’re bringing back old elements of style, and now the new generation is like, “Why are we bringing back baggy pants?” And I’m like, “Bro, that’s what we wore!” It’s just a way of repurposing things from the past. It’s the same thing in fashion – nostalgia always comes back.
Over the past years, we’ve seen the golf community grow. How do you think the shift has affected the kinds of apparel and clothing people are looking for?
Like anything, trends always come back around. Right now, we’re in the early 2000s nostalgia era, which I love because it’s what I grew up with. Gen-Z is eating it up since it’s their version of the ’90s or even the ’70s and ’80s, depending on how you look at it.
From a golf perspective, I know it might be unpopular, but I’ve always loved the early 2000s looks. Tiger Woods’ outfits were bold compared to everyone else, and Nike played a huge part in shaking up the market. It’s the same energy we feel with sneakers—new launches get everyone excited, and I felt that same vibe with golf.
I’ve always been into the baggy, oversized look—nothing too tight. It’s funny how golfers once hated the streetwear look, but now joggers are everywhere on the course. A few years ago, people thought we were weirdos wearing Nike tech packs, and now it’s the norm.
What I’m seeing now (and what I’m trying to do) is shift the culture forward. Brands like Malden Golf, Meadowood Studios, Quiet Golf, and Eastside Golf are all helping change how golfers can look, not just how they should look. It’s great to see old elements making a comeback. The new generation is asking, “Why bring back baggy pants?” And I’m like, “That was the golf style back then.”
Ultimately, we’re always repurposing things from the past, and fashion is all about nostalgia. Everyone’s trying to capture a specific era, whether it’s the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, or early 2000s. That’s what’s happening in golf now, and it’s exciting to see new perspectives on what a golfer can look like. The goal is to feel comfortable in your own skin.
That’s why I dropped the “This Is My Jumpman” collection. It was a throwback to my 12-year-old self baggy jeans, a “School of Hard Knocks” t-shirt, and a Yankees fitted cap. Looking back, it’s absurd, but that’s part of my growth.
The more comfortable you are in your own skin, the better. That’s what I want to convey with my brand: wear what feels right for you. Don’t let blogs or influencers tell you what’s cool. Just wear what makes you feel good.
Ultimately, I’m designing things I know I’ll wear, and whether others do is fine by me. Everyone has their own tastes, and I just want to offer something people can connect with. Golf apparel has definitely become more fashion-forward and lifestyle-focused, merging comfort, style, and self-expression.
Do you think the momentum behind golf is a lasting trend, and how do you think Paré will stay ahead of the curve?
I think this trend is here to stay. For years, brands have been working to merge golf with lifestyle, and I believe we’re finally moving in that direction. Golf doesn’t have to mean a dedicated golf outfit, it’s about blending what you wear on and off the course. For me, I’ve always tried to wear something I can take from the course to dinner, staying true to my roots and my comfort.
I’m not following trends on TikTok or chasing what’s “hot” for next year. I pay attention, but I stick to what I know and what feels authentic to me. For example, I’ve been waiting for baggy pants to make a comeback. I can’t stand tight jeans or joggers. I want to feel loose and comfortable. If tight pants or joggers come back, I won’t follow that trend. I’ll stay true to what I believe in and what I’ll wear.
Ultimately, I hope people resonate with that. As a sneakerhead, you get the importance of both form and function. Right now, my focus is more on comfort than performance. For instance, the mock neck in the Tiger Woods collection balances comfort, performance, and a bit of tech. Most of my products are made in the US, which is important to me as a Filipino-American. I love supporting US-made items. While I’m open to exploring international production in the future, I aim to keep things in-house for quality control. Looking ahead, I’m excited to dive into more technical performance gear. It’s a slow process, but I’m eager to bring those collections to life when the time is right.
Are there any interesting or niche Filipino cultural things that you’ve included in the brand that people might not be aware of?
The name definitely stands out, and I get a lot of questions about the color palette. If you look at my Instagram, you’ll see bright yellow, pink, and light blue. Those colors are inspired by the Philippines flag, but I’ve muted them down to pastels. Pastels have always been something I’ve loved, and I wanted to incorporate that into my brand.
As for upcoming projects, one of my favourite Filipino fast food spots, Jollibee, will be getting a nod in my work. I’m obsessed with their fried chicken: it’s hands down the best. While I have tried the spaghetti, I wouldn’t recommend it. My next big project is a box logo tee inspired by Jollibee, which will drop at my one-year anniversary event. It’s going to be awesome! I’ve already put out a teaser for it, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.
What has been the biggest challenge in starting off a brand in the golf space? Is there any unexpected learning experiences you took away from it?
Starting a business, especially in e-commerce and manufacturing, is no easy feat. There’s a lot to navigate, shipping, sampling, outsourcing, it’s all a big learning curve. For me, the hardest part was securing the capital. I was fortunate to have some savings, but it was still a huge risk. I’m still working to make up the funds I initially invested, and it’s a constant cycle of reinvesting and learning as I go.
But I’ve been lucky that certain collections have sold out faster than expected, which motivates me to keep pushing forward. The reality is, it’s all about having the resources and being willing to take risks. “Scared money don’t make no money.” At first, it was daunting to think of how much I needed to invest, but thankfully, my wife was incredibly supportive. Even though it took some time to get back to a comfortable financial spot, we both agree it was worth the risk.
Where do you see Paré going in the next few years? What’s your dream collaboration? And is there any upcoming projects you can share with us?
I definitely hope to turn my Jollibee idea into an official collaboration. There are so many collaborations I’d love to explore, and a lot of it ties back to my upbringing and sneaker culture – things I’ve always loved. It would take a lot of storytelling to get there, but it’s something I’m excited to work toward. One collaboration I’ve only shared with a few people is something I want to do with Lacoste. It’s a brand I’ve always admired, and I’d love to see that come to life someday.
