Thanks to the support of the American Golf Industry Coalition and under the experienced and caring leadership and guidance of Craig Kirby, founder of the Washington, DC-based Golf. My Future. My Game. and Dr. Michael Cooper, Senior Advisor – HBCU Initiative – USGA, thirty undergraduate, graduate students and faculty from the historic Benedict College, an HBCU located in Columbia, SC received an in-depth, conscious-raising, and life-changing experience into the wonderful world of jobs and careers in the golf industry. This is part of the White House HBCU Initiative started a few years ago by Craig Kirby, Dr. Michael Cooper, Mark Lowry and me.
On April 17, these dedicated, energetic people left the academic confines of Benedict College at 5:30am and drove the 2 and 1/2 hours, covering 143 miles to receive an immersion into the $102 billion golf industry starting with the 8:30am reception at the world-famous Pinehurst Resort.
CLICK BELOW to view a video overview of the day narrated by Antion Downs, founder of the True Golf Network.
They were immediately greeted by me, Craig, Michael, True Golf Network Founder Antion Downs, and Pinehurst Vice President of Golf, Matthew Barksdale. After a few moments of stretching and snacks , the day began with Matthew addressing the group providing an exciting overview of Pinehurst during which he focused on the golf and hospitality operations of the 5,500 acre facility which was purchased in 1890 by James Walker Tufts for the mere sum of $1.25 per acre. Today the facility has 10 golf courses producing 1200 -1400 rounds of golf daily and hosting over 1 million visitors from locations worldwide. Three times, Travel + Leisure Magazine has named Pinehurst the Best Golf Resort In America. In addition to hosting the US Open in 2024, Pinehurst was also named the first-ever U.S. Open Anchor Site, chosen to host the championships planned for 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047
Matt took the Benedict College contingent on a personal tour of the resort highlighting the job opportunities at each stop culminating in an invitation to the students to check regularly for internships available at the renowned facility which employs some 1300 people.
Matthew Barksdale, Vice President of Golf at Pinehurst addressing the Benedict College students and faculty. CLICK BELOW to listen to his talk.
What a way to start the day and learn about the 1.65 million jobs in golf!
It gets even better, next stop also on the Pinehurst grounds was a tour of the USGA Golf House which included, the USGA equipment research and testing facility, the USGA Experience and World Golf Hall of Fame. Carter Rich, Head of Equipment Standards- GHP at USGA, pictured below led the tour during which students witnessed first-hand how golf balls and other equipment are tested.
CLICK BELOW to see the new Iron Byron in action:
This experience also included the Science of Golf Gallery which uses augmented reality to share how the game works for golfers and golf course operators. Students also learned about the physics of how golf balls fly, golf architecture, agronomy ,data and research which assist golf course managers create the golf experience.
After completing the morning of intense STEM education , we were treated to a great luncheon at Pinehurst #8 during which the students shared their experiences of the day with each other, checked their messages and do the things that young people do on their ever-present phones. After lunch , the group was treated to a wonderful and insightful talk by Scott Whitfield, Senior Manager Brand and Fan Experience for the USGA.
CLICK BELOW to Listen to Scott Whitfield’s message.
He shared his journey into the golf world which I am proud to say started with his attendance at the African American Golf EXPO and Forum held in Charlotte, NC. Scott was a hit with the students as he was mobbed with questions and comments and requests to stay in touch so they could continue to pick his brain.
After Scott’s spellbinding talk, I had the honor of addressing the group to talk about the economic development impacts and the business of golf with a focus on jobs and careers.
I conveyed that golf is a $102B industry employing 1.67 Million people. I made the point that 1 out of every 100 jobs of America’s 163.5 Million jobs is golf related. I citied examples ranging from social media managers and tournament managers to hospitality and hotel management. This opportunity was very important to me as I wanted to honor my grandfather and great uncle both of whom graduated from Benedict College 110 years ago in 1915. I wanted to challenge the students just as Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, president and CEO of Benedict College always does which is to always do their best, give their best and strive to be the best version of themselves.
After lunch we visited the global headquarters of Golf Pride located at Pinehurst number 8. Golf Pride the global leader in golf grip innovation and technology and is a division of Eaton Corporation. Golf Pride was founded in 1949 after a significant increase in the demand for golf clubs post WWII. Eaton acquired Golf Pride’s parent company in 1968. The 35,996-square-foot building contains retail, office space and an R&D department. Additional amenities include a 9-hole indoor putting course and outdoor courtyard which provide an opportunity to test products showcased in the display room steps away from the R&D wing of the building. We were warmly greeted by Jamie Ledford, CEO of Golf Pride and a frequent participant in the African American Golf EXPO and Forum.
Benedict students received and in-depth tour of every inch and aspect of the facility and learned about global supply chain management, research, distribution, product development and human resources. There were also shown how golf grips are installed. This activity certainly served to underscore the importance of STEM in their educational pursuits.
The Golf Pride staff was absolutely superb in their planning to make this visit an outstanding learning experience as well as fun. They left no details to chance. They even personalized the cookies for the students and provided beautiful gift packages for everyone.
For several students and faulty this was the first time they ever held a golf club. Thus reinforcing the Make Golf Your Career message that you don’t have to be a golfer to work in the golf industry.
The visit at Golf Pride culminated a full day immersion into the golf industry. The visit changed lives, peaked curiosity and sparked an interest in these students to think about golf in ways far different that before the trip. The students were encouraged to register at the Make Golf Your Career Portal.
CLICK BELOW to listen to Jeremiah Hall-Jones, aka ”The Voice,” Junior Sports Management Major from Columbia, South Carolina as he gives his summary of the day.
In closing, we want to thank not only the students but the most caring faculty, Dr. Tami Ashford Carroll, Chair, Health and Sport Management Department, Dr. Akilah Carter-Francique, Dean, School of Education, Health and Human Services, Dr. Derichard McCoy, Health and Sport Management and Dr. Allison Waymyers, Director, Master of Science in Sport Management Program. They provided great guidance and passion in encouraging these students to participate in this program.
A special thanks to True Golf Network Founder Antion Downs and his son Aaron for their commitment of time and talent as the videographers of this great experience. See their great work on YouTube
This experience can be replicated at other HBCU’s with the support from the American Golf Industry Coalition who we thank for their wisdom and guidance in the ongoing effort to Make Golf Your Career. If your school is interested in pursuing a similar experience just drop me a line at jbeatty138@aol.com.
ABOUT BENEDICT COLLEGE
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution with over 1,700 students enrolled in its 26 baccalaureate degree programs and 2 masters degree programs. Defying trends, Benedict College maintains a nearly equal male and female student population. This Midlands HBCU welcomes students from all 46 counties in South Carolina, 30 states across America, and 26 countries around the world.
Benedict offers several high-demand fields of study in STEM, Cyber Security, Mass Communication, Sport Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, and Education. The College also has a diverse faculty of which 80 percent are full-time, and 71 percent hold doctorates or the equivalent.
There are over 18,000 proud Benedict Tigers throughout the nation. Benedict College has been a community leader for over 152-years and is a significant contributor to South Carolina and the region. Contributing $130 million and 1,218 jobs in total local and annual economic impact, a Benedict graduate working full-time throughout his or her working life can expect to earn $1.1 million in additional income because of their Benedict College degree.
The College made front-page news in the spring of 2018 when it became the first South Carolina college to lower its tuition by 26 percent. Cutting tuition drew praise from the Commission on Higher Education, South Carolina’s education oversight body. The commissioner noted that the move Benedict College made should be applauded because it offers families affordability and students greater access to higher education.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. For example, Benedict College was ranked as one of the top baccalaureate colleges in the nation by Washington Monthly magazine for creating social mobility, and producing cutting-edge scholarship and research. In 2019, Benedict College received the 2019 ACE/ Fidelity Investments Awards for Institutional Transformation and was named the HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest. Learn more about the HBCU legacy.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: The School of Education, Social Work, Environmental Health Science, Arts and Sciences and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
Marks of Excellence
Accreditations:
- The Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
- The Educator Preparation programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) through 2022.
- Benedict College Social Work Program was the 1st HBCU social work program in South Carolina to be nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
- The Studio Art Program is accredited by the National Association of Art and Design (NASAD).
- Benedict College is the 2nd HBCU in the nation and the 1st in South Carolina to receive national accreditation for its Environmental Health Program by the Environmental Health Accreditation Council (EHAC).
- Benedict College is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Benedict College.
