Charles Owens had his 4th Hole-in-One on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at LPGA International Jones Course in Daytona Beach, Florida. The feat was accomplished on hole #3 at 145 yards using his 8 iron Titleist Club and Titleist Pro V1 ball. Playing partners DePriest Bowers, Rowland Brown and Marcus Dunlap witnessed the shot.
Jacksonville, Florida-Edward Waters University (EWU) Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Ivana Rich announced the hiring of Kelly Allen as the head coach of the rebirthed women’s golf program.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Allen as the new leader of our women’s golf program,” remarked Dr. Rich. “He is an energetic coach, who has shown a commitment to the pursuit of excellence, as evidenced by his outstanding track record as a player and coach. He also happens to be from the Jacksonville community and will ensure the women’s golf program attracts the talent and community support to its current growth.”
A Jacksonville native, Allen has personal ties with the EWU area, growing up just minutes away from campus in the surrounding neighborhood off of Myrtle Avenue.
Allen went to high school at Riverside High School (formerly Robert E. Lee High School) before heading to Benedict College, where he was a three-year letterwinner for the men’s golf team. While at BC, Allen was a two-time All-SIAC selection and a member of the 2015 SIAC Men’s Golf Championship team.
Allen has been a long-time participant and coach at the First Tee of North Florida, working with over 100,000 children in the Northeast Florida area. He is also the founder/owner of Golf By Kelly, LLC, a local golf brand that aims to bring eccentric style to the game of golf.
“I am really excited and grateful to have the opportunity to return home and help rebuild a program that is located in the very same neighborhood I grew up in,” said Allen. “I couldn’t be happier to be put in a position to not only give back to my community, but contribute to the growth of young black women.”
Dr. Rich further added, “What impresses me about Coach Allen is his passion for holistically developing players and his desire to make an impact in his own community.” “We are extremely happy that Coach Allen is joining our Tiger family. I know he’ll build excitement around the program, be a positive leader for our student-athletes, and assist each of our young ladies in maximizing their skill set to become the best players they can be.”
The EWU women’s golf program was rebirthed in May of 2021 after a six-year hiatus, thanks to a $50,000 grant from THE PLAYERS Championship. The Lady Tigers will be just the second HBCU in the state of Florida to offer women’s golf as a varsity sport.
The Lady Tigers are set to hit the links in the Spring of 2023.
Follow the Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters University Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWU_Athletics (Twitter), /EWUTigers (Facebook) and @EWU_Athletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters Athletics at EWUTigerPride.com
Tiger Woods has not played competitive golf since July and missed the Hero World Challenge last week with a foot injury; However, he will be aided by the use of a cart when he teams up with Rory McIlroy to compete against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in the 12-hole competition at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
The event will use a best-ball format, with the best individual score winning each hole.
“I can hit golf balls. It’s just hard getting from point A to point B, so [the cart] will certainly help a lot,” said Woods, who is still struggling with plantar fasciitis in the foot – tissue inflation that causes pain in the heel.
“Being in a cart is a totally different deal. That’s something I’ve done at home quite a bit. When I was trying to gear up and be able to play in the Hero and see if I could actually do it, the walking part was the challenge, it wasn’t actually swinging.
“I’ve got to get this plantar to heal and that just takes time. It’s not something that happens overnight. It’s going to take a lot of rest and healing and unfortunately, treatment. It’s a tough road.”
Woods has played in two other events in 2022, placing 47th at the Masters and withdrawing from the PGA Championship after the third round, but is looking forward to returning alongside McIlroy.
“I can tell you one thing,” Woods said. “I have the No 1 player on my team, so I’m good.”
McIlroy had praise for Woods, too. “He’s probably the best iron player that’s ever lived … probably the best golfer that’s ever lived. Period.
“I think if he can just get it out in the fairway, and get some looks in the fairway, I think we’re going to have a really good chance.”
Woods will also play at the PNC Championship with his son Charlie on December 17, live on Sky Sports, and the 15-time major winner revealed he has advised his son to copy McIlroy’s swing.
McIlroy was asked about Woods’ comment and replied: “It’s flattering that, in my opinion, the best player ever is telling his son to swing like me. My dad taught me how to play the game growing up, and his thing was to always hold your finish, and I think that’s what Tiger’s dad taught him back in the day.
“Tiger’s picked up on that and tried to instill that in Charlie. Charlie is a great kid, and he is a great young player. We are all excited to follow his progress and see how far he can go.”
Spieth, meanwhile, is looking forward to locking horns with Woods and McIlroy.
5th Annual Monday Before The Show (MBTS) Then & Now Celebrating African American Women in Golf Tournament and Luncheon will be held on Jan 23, 2023, 8:00 AM (EST) in Florida’s Greater Orlando Area. Presented by LPGA Class A Professional Robyn James, the MBTS event precedes the PGA Merchandise Show, a mega-golf business expo organized by Reed Exhibitions in partnership with the PGA of America.
Women, professionals, and amateurs are all invited to attend the MBTS progam where African American LPGA Professionals will gather to celebrate African American Women in golf “Then & Now” with a golf outing followed by lunch and plenty of fellowship.
Last year the event was held at historic Rodgers Park. This year, the much bigger program has been moved to another course where various games, golf actiities, fellowship and special guest speakers will be presented.
The schedule includes:
8:00 am – Check in
9:00 am – Shotgun start (18 holes of golf)
1:30 pm – Lunch/Awards/Guest Speaker
Persons interested are requested to RSVP now to save the date. Registration will be opening soon with announcement of the course location.
Cost to attend: Golf & Lunch $125; Lunch Only $50.
A portion of ticket sales will be donated to a special organization supporting African American girls in golf in their golf journey.
For questions or additional information visit HERE or contact Robyn James, LPGA Classs A Professional at (571)266-1182 or email [email protected].
[ATLANTA] Renegade Golf announces it has become the first ever Black-owned golf equipment company to achieve conformance to the Rules of Golf established by the United States Golf Association (USGA) for its Renegade Mbu premium line of golf balls. The list, published on Nov. 2, is the first to ever feature a 100 percent minority-owned and operated golf ball company and adds to a year of significant growth.
The Atlanta-based Renegade Golf Company named their preeminent golf ball “Mbu” after an Igbo (Nigerian) word meaning “first” as an ode to its cultural roots. The ball was officially released in May of 2022 but is now officially legal for play in any round of golf played under the Rules of Golf, as established by the USGA and The R&A in St. Andrews, Scotland. Renegade accompanies many of the largest brands (i.e Titleist and Callaway) in the golf space on the list as they seek to expand their reach to customers worldwide.
The Renegade Mbu is a three-piece TPU golf ball that offers premium feel and performance at a lower price than many of its competitors. The ball is designed for golfers with average to high swing speeds and who desire length off the tee while maintaining high spin with their irons and driver.
The new conforming status of the Renegade Mbu also allows the company to support the next generation of great golfers through their golf balls. Renegade has launched a 2023 Player Scholarship program designed to help families decrease the cost burden of competitive golf through financial support.
“This accomplishment is significant to me due to the number of “glass ceilings” it could break down in the golf equipment space, Our companies have traditionally been in the apparel market but historically have been excluded from the equipment necessary to play the game.” says Kenneth Duncan, CEO of Renegade, “the acknowledgment of the USGA conformance will be a ‘door opener’ to additional inclusion and increased diversity in the golf retail space.”
About Renegade Golf Company
Renegade Golf Company was founded in 2019 by two 26-year-old University of Georgia graduates with the goal to make golf more affordable and accessible for people of all demographics and economic backgrounds. After starting almost exclusively with golf bags in 2021, the partners endeavored to create an affordable golf ball with above-average performance for the “average golfer”. Accompanied by a strong consultant with extensive industry experience, Renegade worked with their lead design consultant to manage “Project Mbu.”. They plan to expand their golf ball line in early 2023 with the release of the “Mbu Black” For more information, please visit www.renegade.golf.
To tell the Truth is a long-running TV show in which a panel of celebrities is presented with three contestants who all claim to be the same person with an unusual occupation or experience. The panel grills each of them and must decide which two are imposters and which one is telling the truth about their identity.
In 1980, three bespectacled African American women appeared on the show, each stating: “My name is Rosa Parks.” Only one of the three voting panelists correctly identified her – today their musings look demeaning and trivial.
But the fourth panelist, entertainer Nipsey Russell, who is Black, said he would have to disqualify himself because he marched with Parks in Selma, adding: “Miss Rosa Parks is 10-foot tall, she’s a legend and a hero in the democracy of the United States, not just among Black people.”
It is a redemptive moment amid the profanity of a civil rights hero being paraded like a curiosity for the cameras. The sequence makes for a memorable opening to The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, the first documentary feature about Parks, streaming on Peacock from Wednesday.
Based on a biography by Jeanne Theoharis, the film is a riposte to popular culture’s reductive habit of framing a person’s life and legacy in a single headline – in Parks’s case, the quiet seamstress who refused to give up her seat on a crowded bus to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama, one winter evening in 1955.
This one action is what she is known for in countless school textbooks and even an episode of the BBC’s science fiction series Doctor Who. After her death in 2005, the New York Times called her “the accidental matriarch of the civil rights movement”.
But there was nothing accidental about it, the 96-minute documentary contends, demonstrating her activism was sweeping and expansive. It predated the bus incident, spanned decades and was inextricably bound with Malcolm X, Martin Luther King and Black politicians in Washington.
Golf industry veteran Leon Preston Gilmore II died on December 1. His family said he suffered a massive stroke. He was 52.
During his career, Gilmore has served in various capacities for First Tee, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and PGA Tour Champions.
He began his golfing career in Atlanta as the director of East Lake Junior Academy’s program for underserved youth in the community. After spending a year and a half there, Gilmore accepted a position at First Tee, rising to Director of Development, where he was responsible for facility development and strategy in nine states and was instrumental in the successful launch of 35 facilities.
He relocated to California in July 2003 to assume the roles of Executive Director of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Assistant Tournament Director of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and PGA Tour Champions Pure Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee. In June 2006, he became Executive Director of the Charles Schwab Cup on the PGA Tour Champions, where he made history as only the second Executive Tournament Director on the Black PGA Tour and first with the Senior Circuit.
“Leon dealt with the pressure while also doing his best to create pathways for others to get behind him,” said Dedric Holmes, who worked with Gilmore at First Tee. “Leon’s ability to connect with people through listening and his business acumen made him a real force. He was confident and determined while being understanding and flexible.”
Gilmore attended the historically Black college at Hampton University, where he was a standout student and collegiate golfer, but realized his talents could be better utilized off the ropes.
“Phil Mickelson was out of my time,” Gilmore once told the East Bay Times. “I would see him in a junior tournament when he was 68 or 69. I would shoot 72 and be happy. He would go to the shoo
ting range to find out what was going on.”
Gilmore also earned a Masters of Sports Administration from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and completed internships at Titleist and the PGA Tour. Over the past several years, Gilmore has used his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit to launch several successful ventures. One of his most recent contributions was partnering with the Capital Partners Foundation where they envisioned being the first African American to own and operate a PGA Tour event.
The Gilmore Family have entrusted arrangements to Roseboro’s Mortuary & Crematory.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Farmers Insurance Open tournament officials from the Century Club of San Diego and Farmers Insurance today announced that APGA Tour standout Michael Herrera has received a sponsor’s exemption to play in the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open, scheduled to take place Wednesday – Saturday, January 25-28, 2023. Herrera, who grew up in nearby Moreno Valley, California, attended the Farmers Insurance Open as a fan and will fulfill a lifelong dream of teeing it up at the event for his first-ever PGA TOUR start.
See video of Herrera being told he received the exemption – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
The exemption supports Farmers® ongoing commitment to the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour and its work to grow diversity in golf. Helping to remove the financial burden associated with the game and providing playing opportunities are top priorities for both Farmers and the APGA. The organizations are also focused on ensuring players have access to the tools and support they need, allowing them to better focus on their career path and development in the game.
“The Farmers team is proud to congratulate Michael on earning this exemption and making his PGA TOUR debut at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open,” said Jeff Dailey, President and CEO of Farmers Insurance. “Our efforts to support the APGA Tour and grow diversity in the game of golf reflect the value Farmers places on advancing diversity, equity and inclusion as an organization, both on and off the course.”
As a child, Herrera and his family frequently drove by the Cottonwood Golf Center, a nine-hole municipal golf course, on their way to, and from, their local shopping mall. Each time passing the facility, Herrera pestered his father, Hugo Leonel Herrera, to let him give golf a try. Once his father gave in, Michael instantly fell in love with the game and flourished as part of the First Tee program.
Michael’s other passion, basketball, came from his father, who played for Guatemala’s national basketball team. Michael was good enough at basketball to play for Riverside City College in Riverside, California. It was in college that his basketball coach, Phillip Matthews, saw Michael hit a golf ball and in Phillip’s words, “I had to cut him from the basketball team, because he was too good at golf to play for us. He needed to pursue golf full-time.”
Michael has excelled on the APGA Tour, with victories in each of the last two seasons – in Carlsbad in 2021 and at TPC Scottsdale earlier this year. He finished the 2022 season ranked No. 4 in the season-long APGA Tour Lexus Cup standings.
“Life isn’t always a straight line. The turns that my path has taken, the sacrifice that my parents have made and the hard work that I’ve put in make this incredibly gratifying and humbling. This is an incredible honor and is literally a dream come true,” Herrera said. “I remember attending the Farmers Insurance Open as a fan and it inspired me. It showed me what I wanted for my life. I can’t thank Farmers and the team at the Farmers Insurance Open enough for this opportunity. The APGA Tour is changing lives and changing the complexion of golf. Thanks to organizations like Farmers, the players on the APGA Tour have the support and resources to continue to progress and hopefully inspire other young minorities to play golf and chase their own dreams.”
In addition to Herrera playing in the PGA TOUR event at Torrey Pines Golf Course, the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Invitational, now in its fourth year, will again take place at Torrey Pines over the course of the weekend. This year, the event will once again have two rounds, with the first round played on Saturday, January 28 on the North Course at Torrey Pines. The final round will be held Sunday, January 29, on the South Course and will again be broadcast live on Golf Channel, after making its television debut in January — a first for the APGA Tour.
“Michael is a fantastic golfer and even better person,” said APGA Tour CEO Ken Bentley. “As we continue to work to create more diversity in golf, it’s important for us to assist minority golfers from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities to truly help golf better represent culture today.”
The support of the APGA Tour and its players are part of an ongoing effort from Farmers Insurance to help advance its commitment to growth in the game of golf. The national insurer provides support for APGA Tour events and athletes and recently expanded their relationship with the APGA Foundation, which focuses on career and wellness youth programs.
ABOUT FARMERS INSURANCE
“Farmers Insurance®” and “Farmers®” are tradenames for a group of insurers providing insurance for automobiles, homes, small businesses and a wide range of other insurance and financial services products. For more information about Farmers Insurance, visit Farmers.com, Twitter and Instagram, @WeAreFarmers, or Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.
ABOUT CENTURY CLUB OF SAN DIEGO
Composed of more than 100 local business leaders, the Century Club of San Diego is the 501(c)(3) that operates San Diego’s annual PGA TOUR event, the Farmers Insurance Open, at the historic Torrey Pines golf course to benefit the community economically and charitably. Since 1961, the Century Club has used the game of golf as the platform to showcase San Diego to an international audience, generate revenue for the city, and positively impact the local community by creating programs that benefit at-risk and underserved youth charities. The 2023 Farmers Insurance Open will be played January 25-28 at the historic Torrey Pines Golf Course, host site of the 2008 and 2021 U.S. Opens. For more information, please visit www.FarmersInsuranceOpen.com.
The PGA JobMatch program is OPEN – register to be considered for an Operations Assistant position. This is a paid part-time entry-level position that will last approximately two months, including the week of the PGA Championship events. This is a fantastic opportunity for those who would like to learn about a career in business operations within the golf or sports industry, including behind-the-scenes access and a high-energy team environment. Positions are available in support of the below 2023 PGA Championship events:
1) Interested applicants must register for PGA JobMatch by December 16, 2022 for consideration.
2) Qualified candidates will be contacted by PGA hiring managers to proceed to the next phase of the hiring process within 45-60 days.
Operations Assistants support Operations Staff in the construction, daily operation, and deconstruction of the Championship site. Individuals must be able to work in a fast-paced environment. Operations Assistants have the opportunity to meet and work with various representatives in one of the world’s largest working sports organizations.
Registration will close on December 16, 2022. This is a significant opportunity within the golf and sports industry.
Launched in 2003 by NBA player Stephen Curry, Underrated Golf is an inspiring lifestyle brand with a mission to empower underrated and underrepresented individuals all over the world. UNDERRATED stands for a representation of every overlooked, 3-star individual in the world. The Underrated golf, junior golf tour is designed to provide equity, access and opportunity to underrepresented youth across the country.
Sponsors who work with the organizations share their comments below:
2K Foundations
“All of us at 2K are excited to partner with Steph Curry and UNDERRATED Golf. Both 2K Foundations & UNDERRATED Golf align in providing access and opportunities to the underserved and underdeveloped through sports and educational opportunities. We can’t think of a better partnership and look forward to exploring more!” – Billy Inglis, VP of Partnerships and Licensing, 2K Foundations
“Callaway is proud to partner with Stephen Curry on outstanding initiatives that make golf more inviting and inclusive. Through this relationship, we are working with Stephen on supporting tremendous programs like The Eat, Learn, Play Foundation, the men’s and women’s Howard University Golf Teams, and the Underrated Golf Tour, which are helping change people‘s lives for the better. We are delighted that this years’ Underrated Tour winners will join our Callaway Next Program, which supports the top emerging talent in the game as they follow their dreams of making it on the Professional Tours.” – Nick McInally, VP of Global Marketing, Callaway Golf
CDW
“Much like CDW, Underrated Golf understands the unlimited possibilities that technology can unlock. We believe working with this organization can help to amplify CDW’s aspiration to achieve equity by closing the digital divide that persists in traditionally underserved communities.” – Aletha Noonan, Senior Vice President of Product and Partner Management, CDW
“Partnering with Stephen Curry and UNDERRATED is a natural fit for Cisco as we work to carry out our corporate purpose to power a more inclusive future. Our work together represents a shared commitment to accelerate diversity, increase equitable access to opportunity and use golf as a platform to support young people both on and off the course.” – Brian Eaton, Director of Global Sponsorships, Cisco
Curry Brand
“Under Armour and Curry Brand are proud to support Stephen’s endeavor to create opportunities for young athletes through UNDERRATED Golf. Providing equity, access, and opportunities for athletes in underrepresented communities is the driving force behind both Curry Brand and UNDERRATED Golf. We look forward to growing the game with Stephen and helping to shape the next generation of golfers.” – Ryan Drew, VP of Curry Brand and Special Teams, Under Armour
“Like Google, Stephen and the Underrated team are committed to creating a space where everyone can belong, regardless of their background, and building an experience that is accessible for everyone. We are proud to once again partner with Stephen and support the Underrated Golf Tour as they set out to advance access and equity for diverse communities through the game of golf.” – Attica Jaques, Global Head of Brand Marketing, Consumer Apps, Google
United Airlines
“United commends Steph Curry’s for creating the UG Tournament to help diversify the game of golf and provide a spotlight on young talent from communities that the game has often overlooked. By showing our support for these young golfers in our partnership with Underrated Golf we aim to make golf more accessible so that more young people can follow their dreams and learn important life skills that come from learning and playing the sport.” – Janet Lamkin, SVP of Market and Community Innovation, United
Wiz Kid Learning“After the final awards ceremony, Stephen Curry took the time to encourage and chat with golfers while playing video games in the TPC Harding Golf Club House – making sure to personally connect with every player on the tour. His and UNDERRATED Golf’s commitment to providing black/minority youth golfers with a pathway to develop their skills and pursue opportunities to play golf at the highest level is truly unparalleled. The program’s goal to make golf more equitable and diverse really resonates with Wiz Kid Learning’s mission to provide children, regardless of their background, opportunities to succeed through developing their STEM and future-focused skills.” – Kyla Bolden, CEO & Founder, Wiz Kid Learning
Learn more about Underrated Golf visit https://www.stayunderrated.com/tour-golf
Saturday and Sunday – November 5-6- 2022L.
LP.G.A. International Golf Courses – Jones and Hills, Daytona Beach, Florida
Par 72
38 Ladies, 66 Open Men, 26 Senior, 27 Golden Senior Men, 17 Super Golden Senior Men, Total Players 174
Men’s Championship Flight 74-81
Men’s First Flight 82-90
Men’s Second Flight 91-136
Senior Men’s Championship Flight (55-64) 72-128
Golden Senior Men’s Championship Flight (65-74) 72-111
Super Golden Senior Men’s Championship Flight (75 and Up) 73-109
Ladies Open 82-144
Senior Ladies (51 and Up) 81-124
All Ladies Skin Saturday
#1 Carmela Tardy
#8 Glenda Todd
Open Men’s Skins Saturday
#1 Willie Taylor
#3 Charles Owens HOLE-IN-ONE
#5 Shamont Johnson
#6 Gerald Price
#11 Edmond Thornhill
#16 Dominique Worthen
#17 Travis Williams
All Senior Men’s Skins
#2 Cletis Dozier
#3 Keith Holland
Saturday Closest to Pin Men Open, Ladies and Senior Ladies Hills Course
#15 Men Open
#15 Carmela Tardy (Ladies)
#15 Albertha Hicks (Senior Ladies)
Saturday Longest Drive Men Open, Ladies and Senior Ladies Hills Course
#16 Shamont Johnson (Men Open)
#8 Suzann Bartley (Ladies)
#16 Senior Ladies
Saturday Closest to Pin Senior Men, Golden Senior, Super Golden Senior Jones Course
#14 Senior Men
#3 Dwight Witherspoon, Sr. (Golden Senior Men)
#6 Thomas Jenkins (Super Golden Senior)
Saturday Longest Drive Senior Men, Golden Senior, Super Golden Senior Jones Course
#5 Gordon Patrick (Senior Men)
#9 Allen Blackwell (Golden Senior)
#10 Super Golden Senior
Sunday Longest Drive Men Open, Ladies and Senior Ladies Jones Course
#9 Joe McCall (Men Open)
#5 Ladies
#9 Linda Edwards (Senior Ladies)
Sunday Closest to Pin Open Men, Ladies, Senior Ladies Jones Course
#17 Roy Wallace (Open Men)
#3 Ciesta Crite (Ladies)
#6 Tammy Miller
Sunday Closest to Pin Senior Men, Golden Senior, Super Golden Senior Hills Course
#12 Reggie Horne (Senior Men)
#15 Rod Tharpe (Golden Senior Men)
#3 Tom Brown (Super Golden Senior)
Sunday Longest Drive Senior Men, Golden Senior, Super Golden Senior Hills Course
#5 Senior Men
#9 Golden Senior
#9 Cletis Dozier (Super Golden Senior)
Thursday November 4, 2022, Cypress Head Golf Course, Port Orange, Florida
Closest to Pin
#6 Curtis Clingman
#7 Terry Blackwell
#12 Terry Blackwell
#16 Toby Crain
Skins Thursday
#5 James Wilson
#6 Tony Banks
#7 James Wilson
#14 Jamel Austin
Friday November 5, 2022, Cypress Head Golf Course, Port Orange, Florida
#7 Tony Banks HOLE-IN-ONE (His 13th Hole-in-One)
#3 Gerald Price Eagle
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Dec. 1, 2022) – As part of an ongoing effort to introduce individuals from underrepresented communities to careers in golf, the USGA has opened applications for the USGA Pathways Internship program at the 123rd U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles Country Club.
Launched as the Lee Elder Internship by The Country Club at the 2022 U.S. Open in Brookline, Mass., the educational experience will continue to be led by the USGA and supported by its global partners. The internship will be held annually throughout the week of the U.S. Open as part of the USGA’s long-term commitment to creating more accessible pathways for all who are interested in pursuing careers in golf.
The 10-day program is scheduled for June 10-19, 2023, and will provide 20 college and graduate students with exposure to multiple facets of the golf industry while being immersed in the operations of a major championship. Those interested can apply at USGA.org/pathways through Feb. 10, 2023.
Following the success of the internship’s launch in 2022, Deloitte*, proud to be the official professional services provider of the USGA, will join the program as a foundational supporter to help drive greater inclusion in golf. As part of the 10-day program, Deloitte plans to provide a full day of professional development programming for the interns at its Los Angeles office and collaborate with the USGA on sessions that demonstrate Deloitte’s commitment to innovating for the future of the game.
“The students participating in this program will become golf’s next generation of leaders,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “At the USGA, our commitment to the future of the game includes investing in programs that help position tomorrow’s leaders for success and create pathways for careers in golf.”
The curriculum for the Pathways program will include a series of classroom-style instructional sessions paired with job shadowing and on-site training that covers all aspects of the championship, as well as networking opportunities with local and national leaders from the golf industry and beyond. The USGA will cover the program’s costs, including travel expenses and accommodations for all interns.
The 2022 inaugural class of the program included an international cohort of students from 22 institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other accredited universities across the United States with many having little to no experience with the game. Leveraging connections and leadership skills developed through the program, alumni have advanced to full-time internships at sports organizations, including the USGA, and serve as leaders within their universities.
Golf is an $84 billion industry that provides nearly 2 million U.S. jobs, and the USGA recognizes the need to prioritize career development programs to funnel individuals from underrepresented communities into the game. In addition to the USGA Pathways in Golf Program, the USGA annually funds more than 150 paid long-term internships through the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program across its network of 58 Allied Golf Associations, providing qualified applicants of all backgrounds with direct experience as staff members at state and regional golf associations. The program has launched the sports careers of more than 3,000 individuals since its inception in 1991.