On Tuesday, July 22, Marcus will host the Larry Byrd Memorial Youth Golf Clinic at Langston Golf Course in Washington, D.C..The event is both a tribute to his father and an opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape his path. Despite the demanding travel and tournament schedule, Marcus remains actively engaged with First Tee. He works closely with the organization’s leadership to ensure his involvement continues to inspire the next generation of golfers.
Marcus encourages young players and potential mentors to get involved, often sharing advice like, “Your community is your foundation. Just like the course, respect it—and leave it better than you found it.” His words reflect a deeper mission beyond tournament wins: growing the game of golf and making it more inclusive.
“We’re proud to partner with Marcus who’s one of our most successful alumni golfers,” said Clint Sanchez, Executive Director of First Tee-Greater Washington, DC. “Marcus was involved with our Chapter for many years where he made lifelong friendships and developed his golf skills as well as his life and leadership skills. We’re excited to have him lead a youth golf clinic for our participants at historic Langston Golf Course where his golf journey began and where we still today conduct First Tee classes.”
An emerging name in the world of professional golf, Marcus is known for both his talent on the course and his dedication to community engagement. Born on July 11, 1997, Marcus recently turned 28. His journey in golf began at an early age, thanks to his father, who introduced him to the sport at Langston Golf Course. That introduction sparked a lifelong passion, which he developed further while growing up in the Washington metropolitan area. He practiced at a family-owned driving range in Temple Hills, Maryland, laying the foundation for what would become a promising golf career.
He attended North Point High School in Maryland before earning a golf scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University. While there, he majored in Leisure, Sport & Tourism and stood out as a key player on the university’s golf team. His collegiate accomplishments included being named Conference USA Player of the Year in 2019, capturing two individual tournament wins, and helping his team secure a conference championship.
After college, Marcus turned professional in 2020. He has since found success on several tours, including the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and APGA Tour. His victories on the APGA Tour are especially notable, with wins at Torrey Pines in 2023 and Port St. Lucie in 2025. He earned the 2023 Lexus Cup Player of the Year title and continues to build a strong reputation on the professional circuit. One of his most memorable achievements was making the cut at the 2025 ISCO Championship—on his 28th birthday.
Though based in Atlanta, Georgia, Marcus remains closely connected to his roots. He is a proud alumnus and ambassador for First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C. His late father, Larry Byrd, was instrumental in his introduction to the game there, making his work with youth through First Tee especially meaningful. Marcus regularly returns to the area to support junior clinics, scholarship events, and mentorship programs. He even carries the First Tee logo on his tour bag to raise awareness and pride in the organization.
As one of the few young Black professional golfers rising through the ranks, Marcus is helping to shape the future of the sport. His dedication, both on and off the course, stands as a powerful reminder of how golf can be a vehicle for personal growth, community development, and meaningful change.
