The PGA Works Junior Championship in Birmingham, Alabama did not disappoint. The experience for the juniors was incredible from the time I pulled into Shoal Creek golf club until the trophies were presented on the final day of the tournament. It was an incredible experience to say the least for the juniors.
On Day 1, the juniors enjoyed a nice relaxing, practice round at Shoal Creek doing their best to learn the course. After the practice the juniors celebrated “Cinco De Mayo” at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel with some delicious tacos and fresh fajitas!!
With the their bellies full and exhausted from traveling and practice round, the juniors proceeded to shut it down for the day. Early Saturday, the kids were off to the course after a nice buffet breakfast. Once they arrived to course, they went straight to the practice range where they warmed up and were able to see and meet some of the collegiate players.
With eagerness in their eyes, they were off to their starting holes for their shotgun start. After the final shot of Day 1, you had Ethan Hill of Trinidad & Tobago with a 1 shot lead and on the girls side you had Koa Seymour with a 1 shot lead as well.
Later that day the players attended Topgolf in Birhingham (AL) where they had an opportunity to have a surprise guest perform, legendary guest Lupe Fiasco.
On Day 2, the juniors were inspired by attending the Beyond The Green session with Will Lowery, Kendall Murphy and other panel guests. After that, off to the course they went for round 2 at Shoal Creek.
Round 2 brought on excitement and anticipation of bringing home the hardware!! With a shotgun start being at 1pm, the greens were running at 13. This was going to make for a tough day on the greens. Thomas Reid of Atlanta, GA made a strong push for 1st Place with the best round of the day (73). But he came up a little short to the eventual winner, Ethan Hill, finishing the tournament at (+8) on the boys side. On the girls side, the winner was Koa Seymour.
All In all, the juniors had a memorable experience thanks to the PGA Works Program and the Cameron Champ Foundation. John Thompson said “It was great meeting other minority golfers from across the country”. Next year, I predict the field size will double due to the overall success of the tournament.
Kendell Jackson, Howard University and Ro Thompson 
Ahmad Raoul, Winston Salem State University and Ro Thompson 
BIRMINGHAM, AL – MAY 06: A participant hits her shot during the first round of the Junior PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship at Shoal Creek Club on Saturday, May 6, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/PGA of America) 
BIRMINGHAM, AL – MAY 06: A participant hits her tee shot during the first round of the Junior PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship at Shoal Creek Club on Saturday, May 6, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/PGA of America) BIRMINGHAM, AL – MAY 06: Lauyn Leonard walks during the first round of the Junior PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship at Shoal Creek Club on Saturday, May 6, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/PGA of America) BIRMINGHAM, AL – MAY 06: A participant hits his tee shot during the first round of the Junior PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship at Shoal Creek Club on Saturday, May 6, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/PGA of America) 
BIRMINGHAM, AL – MAY 06: A participant smiles during the first round of the Junior PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship at Shoal Creek Club on Saturday, May 6, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/PGA of America)
