Student nominations for the Congaree Global Golf Initiative Class of 20225 are now open! Individuals are invited to recognize a deserving young person who could benefit from additional resources to reach their college and career goals.

The Congaree Foundation has wonderful partners from First Tee, Cameron Champ Foundation, Underrated Tour, HV3 Foundation, and more who’ve identified wonderful students for the program, but they are always looking to find more students.

Priority consideration is given to U.S and International nominees who:

Priority consideration is given to applicants who:

• Are rising 11th grade high school students for the upcoming academic year (2 years of high school left after attending CGGI in the summer) 
• Have limited financial resources to pursue a college education in the U.S.
• Excel in the classroom and are committed to receiving a college education
• Demonstrate the ability to play golf at the collegiate level
• Are proficient in the English language

Nominees are invited to apply once the nomination process closes December 1st. Students are nominated annually and selected to attend CGGI at no cost.

Congaree Foundation At its heart, Congaree has a philanthropic mission to bring together individuals that share a philanthropic vision and a love for golf to better the lives of deserving young people through the Congaree Foundation. The Foundation, which is funded by Ambassadors who are invited join the award-winning club, has continued to deliver on its mission:

To positively impact the lives of young people, locally and around the globe, by providing educational and vocational opportunities through the game of golf.

Congaree Foundation does this through a number of programs and partnerships that operate at an international scale and much closer to home, addressing critical needs in the local Jasper County community such as education, professional development and food insecurity Congaree.

Global Golf Initiative
Congaree Foundation’s signature program is the Congaree Global Golf Initiative, an immersive collegiate preparatory curriculum and golf coaching platform tailored to serving both U.S. and international high school students.

Each summer, Congaree welcomes underserved and ambitious high school students who aspire to play collegiate golf and provides them with the highest level of athletic and academic consulting. By working with educators, guidance counselors and golf instructors, CGGI graduates are better prepared for the college admissions process and identifying which schools will be the best fit for them and come away equipped for future success.

The Congaree Global Golf Initiative starts with a week-long camp that introduces students to CGGI instructors and advisors. Students receive college and golf resume advice, golf instruction from world class instructors, SAT & ACT prep, and personalized fitness instruction designed to improve golf performance. Congaree Foundation covers all costs associated with CGGI week.

While a memorable week for all, the week-long camp is only the start of a student’s journey with CGGI. Students remain in regular contact with advisors for the duration of their time in high school, college, and their early professional careers.

Since the inaugural CGGI class in 2017, 230 students have gone through the program, with 97% of graduates going on to attend college. Through a combination of athletics and academics, these students have earned approximately $5.2M in scholarship money. As of the 2024 fall semester, 83 age eligible students have gone on to play golf collegiately at schools including the University of Texas, University of Nebraska, College of Charleston, Rutgers University, and Elon University.

Congaree Foundation also hosts an international edition of CGGI, which draws students from Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa to Archerfield Links in Scotland. This European camp has expanded the impact of CGGI and allowed the Foundation to support more deserving students globally.

Applications may be submitted HERE.

Participants who submit their information will receive a link to the 2025 CGGI application after the nomination window has closed in early December 2024. In the nominator section, participants may include African American Golfer’s Digest as their nominating organization. View the timeline below. 

CGGI Timeline:

• October 1 – December 1, 2024: Nominations are open. There is no limit to the number of nominees an organization may bring forward
  
• Early December – Mid-January: Applications are open. All nominees from the nomination form will receive an email link to the application.  
  
• Mid-January – March 1: The CGGI selection committee evaluates all applications. 
  
• March 1, 2025: All students that completed an application will receive their admissions decision 

To learn more about the Congaree Foundation and the Congaree Global Golf Initiative or to support it’s mission, please visit congareefoundation.org.