January 30, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
Always prepared for an opportunity, Willie Mack III is a disciplined player who realizes that the success of his golf career depends on hard work and focus. As part of the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour schedule, Mack had expected to compete at Torrey Pines in North Carolina on this Saturday, However, he instead finished up his Farmers Insurance Open quest there on Friday.
Reason being, Mack III stepped in at the 11th hour for Kamaiu Johnson – his fellow APGA professional – as a sponsor’s invite into the PGA TOUR event after Johnson tested positive for COVID-19. Good news followed the incident, as thankfully, Johnson so far has only suffered mild symptoms and a scare that saw Johnson’s mother rushed to the hospital earlier in the week has somewhat subsided.
Playing solid, Mack managed the tough South Course at 1 under through 14 holes in Thursday’s opening round, but then fell three shots back, ending with a 2-over 74. Harsh weather conditions on Friday did not make things any easier for the Fling, Michigan, native. He ended up carding a 75 and missed the cut.
Mack still has time to flourish at the upcoming Genesis Invitational, Feb. 15-21, where he’ll compete by way of the Charlie Sifford Memorial exemption. His years of experience and fortitude will be just what is needed to bring him a victory.
“It was exciting. It was a good week. I think I hit four fairways, so other than that, every other part of my game was pretty good,” Mack said.
“I can’t thank Jeff Dailey, the CEO or Farmers, enough for just letting me and Kamaiu have an opportunity to get out here. It’s our dream to be out here and I can’t wait for the Genesis in three weeks.”
While golf fans are wishing for a speedy recovery for Kamaiu Johnson, should it happen, he will get his first TOUR opportunity at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in two weeks’ time. The Advocates Pro Tour standout has also been given a lifeline, an invite to The Honda Classic.
As a former Michigan Amateur champion and the 2019 APGA Player of the Year, this past March, Mack joined Farmers Insurance as a brand ambassador. Currently, he leads the Florida Professional Golf Tour and will continue playing their events in addition to a full APGA Tour season in 2021.
Both organizations, the APGA Tour and Farmers Insurance have made it a top priority to help players compete by removing the financial burden associated with the game. They aim to end the financial burden associated with players in the game and ensure access to the tools and support players need to focus on their skills. This effort is tremendously important especially for Black players like Johnson and Mack who hoop to continue to play professionally.
Farmers carried forth their support for the Advocates Pro Golf Association with Mack’s exemption as their latest example. The national insurer has also provided funding for APGA Tour events and the organization’s athletes, sponsored players including Johnson and Mack, and for the second consecutive year hosted a 7 a.m. APGA Tour 27-hole contest on the North Course on Saturday, January 30 with a purse of $55,000. Although Johnson and Mack are not in the mix others involved included Mulbe Dillard, a senior at Florida A&M.
