The Black College Golf Coaches Association (BCGCA) honored the remarkable legacy of Andre Springs during the 40th Annual Thomas W. Dortch HBCU Golf Classic, held from September 21-23, 2025, at Laurel Springs Golf Club in Suwanee, GA, as part of the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. The event marked four decades of excellence in collegiate golf and served as the opening celebration for National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame (NBCAHOF) Week. The ceremony brought together athletes, coaches, and supporters to recognize significant contributions to HBCU golf while presenting meaningful financial support to student-athletes and programs.
North Carolina A&T’s men’s golf team won the tournament, and Camilo Marin from North Carolina A&T won the individual medalist honors.
A major highlight of the evening was the induction of two outstanding coaches into the BCGCA Hall of Fame. Dr. Gary Grandison was recognized for his transformational leadership and unwavering commitment to nurturing young athletes. Andre Springs received special recognition for his lifelong dedication to advancing golf education and opening doors for underrepresented communities.
Springs’ journey began at Fayetteville State University, where he made history as the first freshman to win the CIAA Golf Championship and earned the title “Mr. CIAA Golfer.” His legacy of achievement continued as he became the first golfer inducted into Fayetteville State’s Hall of Fame. Over his twenty-year tenure at Livingstone College, Springs led his teams to eight CIAA Golf Championships and three National Minority Golf Championships. His influence extended beyond collegiate sports—he launched a minority golf clinic in 1987, helping to introduce the game to young players, and broke barriers as the first Black golf teaching professional at Birkdale Golf Club. Springs has since been inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the CIAA, African American Golfers Hall of Fame, and National Black Golf Halls of Fame.
The Thomas W. Dortch HBCU Golf Classic, named in honor of the late Thomas W. Dortch Jr., continues to be a cornerstone event celebrating both athletic excellence and education within the HBCU community. For forty years, the tournament has showcased the talents of student-athletes while promoting the values of leadership, scholarship, and community service that define the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
About the Black College Golf Coaches Association
The BCGCA is dedicated to advancing golf programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities through coaching development, student-athlete support, and program enhancement initiatives. The organization works to create opportunities for student-athletes while preserving and celebrating the rich tradition of HBCU golf. Learn more at https://www.hbcugolf.org.
