LOS ANGELES – January 15, 2024 – The APGA Tour – a non-profit organization committed to bringing greater diversity to the game of golf – has today announced that APGA Tour player Wyatt Worthington II has been named the winner of the 2023 APGA Adrian Stills Award presented by Cisco. Worthington II was named this year’s recipient as determined by a panel of judges and voted on by fellow APGA Tour players.
Stills, the award’s namesake, was one of the founders of the APGA Tour after a successful playing career reaching the PGA TOUR. For winning the award, Worthington II is set to receive $25,000 to support his golf career and $10,000 to donate to the charity of his choice. Additionally, Cisco has offered Worthington II exemptions into the two limited-field Cisco-sponsored Invitational events for the 2024 APGA Tour season, the APGA Cisco Invitational and the APGA Billy Horschel Invitational presented by Cisco.
“As a golfer Wyatt has tremendous potential,” says Ken Bentley, APGA CEO. “But what makes Wyatt special is he is the nicest young man you will ever meet. He’s a great competitor but when he makes his way to the scorer’s table you won’t know if he shot a 65 or 75. Either way he’ll have a smile on his face and a good word for everyone. When this award was created it was with players like Wyatt in mind.”
“To win an award named after Adrian Stills, who I look up to and respect means so much to me,” said Worthington II. “To be selected for this award by my peers leaves me speechless. I am so thankful for the support of the APGA Tour, including Ken Bentley and the rest of the team. Cisco, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your relationship and support of the APGA Tour. You’re giving us opportunities that we couldn’t have even imagined we’d have. I’m just incredibly thankful for everyone involved, including the other finalists for this award.”
36-year-old Worthington II graduated from Methodist University’s PGA Golf Management Program in 2011 and became a PGA Member Professional in 2012. After seeing success on the local professional circuit, Worthington II’s high finishes at the PGA Club Professional Championship earned him starts in three PGA Championships (2016, 2022, 2023). His appearance at the 2016 PGA Championship marked the first time an African American PGA Club Professional qualified to the PGA Championship in 25 years. Worthington II finished the 2023 APGA Tour season with two victories (Cisco Invitational at Pebble Beach, APGA Las Vegas), to add to his win at the 2022 John Shippen Invitational, which earned him an exemption into the PGA TOUR’s Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington II participated in the First Tee program, which as a 14-year-old afforded him the opportunity to meet Tiger Woods, a moment that he says solidified not only his passion for the game but also a commitment to paving the way for future golfers to succeed. Worthington II has carried that experience with him throughout his life, using it to fuel his passion for teaching kids the sport, having a positive impact on their lives, and making the game more diverse, accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
“Wyatt Worthington II truly embodies the attributes that the Adrian Stills Award seeks to recognize – strength of character, sportsmanship, courage and giving back to the game and community,” said Ashley Marusak, Leader, Global Sponsorship Marketing at Cisco. “Cisco is proud to honor Wyatt as the second annual recipient of this award, and we look forward to continuing to support not only his career on the golf course, but also his efforts to promote a more diverse, inclusive future for the sport.”
Cisco’s support of the APGA Tour reflects the brand’s purpose to power a more inclusive future for all. Through the partnership, Cisco sponsors three of the APGA’s most significant events, offering highly competitive prize money as well as enrichment and development opportunities off the course, with professional and personal development sessions, mentoring opportunities and networking events with business and golf industry leaders. Cisco’s relationship with the APGA Tour builds on the brand’s ongoing investment in the game of golf, as seen through partnerships with leading organizations, such as the United States Golf Association; events, including the Billy Horschel APGA Tour Invitational presented by Cisco; and the individuals on Team Cisco across the PGA, LPGA and APGA Tours.
