This annual leadership immersion event for the leaders of the National Urban League affiliate movement brings together some of the brightest minds and dedicated hearts to expand expertise, build community, and share learnings for a stronger, more effective Urban League movement. The virtual conference is being held October 17th – October 20th, 2022. For more information visit NUL.org
JIM ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO REGISTER AND MAKE THEIR HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW. RATE GOES UP AFTER JULY 15. Register at https://aagolfexpo.com/register-herehttp://JIM ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO REGISTER AND MAKE THEIR HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW. RATE GOES UP AFTER JULY 15. Register at https://aagolfexpo.com/register-here
Dr. Michael Cooper, Senior Regional Golf Engagement Advisor with the USGA, will be a keynote speaker that the 2nd Annual African American Golf Expo & Forum, as announced by Jim Beatty, President of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures and Expo Organizer. Dr. Cooper will speak on two important topics: Connecting Golf Organizations to Industry Leaders and the Grassroots Grants Program which In a one-year period, received over 200 grant applications from which 155 grants were awarded to 110 unique organizations totaling over one million dollars.
Michael W. Cooper, Ph.D. is also Co-Chairman of the Make Golf Your Thing Youth & Adult Player Development committee. He is also Chairman of the American Golf Industry Coalition Grassroots Grants Program. Cooper’s golf experiences span over 30 years, including Director of Diversity for the World Golf Foundation, Southeast Regional and Outreach Director for the First Tee national office, Director of Golf for the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, and Head Pro/Manager at Rogers Park Golf Course, in Tampa, FL.
He has an educational background, too, with 20 years of experience as an Adjunct Faculty member at Springfield College. In that role, he has taught adult learners a variety of courses in organizational development and leadership for nonprofits, including social change, community organizing, strategic planning, ethical decision-making, advocacy, and youth development through sports.
Dr. Cooper is best known throughout the golf industry as a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion. He has authored three golf industry studies reporting data in four categories: recreational and competitive play, workforce and supplier diversity. These reports guided his inclusion work across the golf industry, and Cooper has been the lead spokesperson at many industry conferences, including the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA), PGA Merchandise Show, National Golf Day, and Congressional Black Caucus. He is a member of the African American Golfers Hall of Fame, and Board member for the Advocates Pro Tour.
Dr. Michael Cooper resides in Tampa, FL, with his wife and two children.
ABOUT THE USGA The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Presented by ProMedica. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org
The mission of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum is to promote the game, the business the industry the careers, and the opportunities in the $84 Billion golf industry to African Americans.
The objectives of the EXPO are to :
1) Promote economic growth, diversity, and inclusion in golf to African Americans and other underrepresented groups
2) Provide a friendly and welcoming environment for golf industry leaders to develop relationships with African Americans who are entrepreneurs, community programmers, and golf enthusiasts.
3) Help grow the industry by featuring subject matter experts in learning forums, seminars, and networking opportunities
4) Provide funding to grassroots organizations involved in teaching and promoting golf to the African American community.
Register at www.aagolfexpo.com/register-here to attend the EXPO and make your room reservations
The American Century Championship is a popular celebrity golf tournament and fans line up at the gate daily to get a peek at the substantial list of players. Held in Nevada during the second full week of July at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, tickets will start at $99.00 for early rounds of a tournament while later tournament rounds and VIP options will often go for prices up to $103.00. Throughout the course of the tournament, tickets will usually average out to around $100.50. However, you can still be a part of the action even if you are unable to attend by linear and streamed viewing:
Friday, July 8 Peacock, NBC Sports Digital 4-6 p.m. ET / 1-3 p.m. PT (Live
Friday, July 8 GOLF Channel 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET / 4:30-6:30 p.m. PT
Saturday, July 9 NBC, Peacock 2:30-6 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. PT (Live)
Sunday, July 10 NBC. Peacock 2:30-6 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. PT (Live)
The field at the American Century Championship in South Tahoe is comprised of 86 players, including current and former NFL players, NBA players, MLB players, actors, and comedians. See the full field listed below:
| Player |
| Josh Allen |
| Marcus Allen |
| Anthony Anderson |
| Bret Baier |
| Charles Barkley |
| Brian Baumgartner |
| Jerome Bettis |
| Jay Bilas |
| Joe Buck |
| Tim Brown |
| Derek Carr |
| David Carr |
| Vince Carter |
| Alex Caruso |
| Stephen Curry |
| Dell Curry |
| Seth Curry |
| Vinny Del Negro |
| Jay DeMarcus |
| Dylan Dreyer |
| Mardy Fish |
| Larry Fitzgerald |
| Dwight Freeney |
| Robbie Gould |
| Tom Glavine |
| Robert Griffin III |
| A.J. Hawk |
| Andre Iguodala |
| Colin Jost |
| Nick Jonas |
| Travis Kelce |
| Jon Lester |
| Derek Lowe |
| Kyle Lowry |
| Patrick Mahomes |
| Joe Mauer |
| Pat McAfee |
| Brian McCann |
| Jim McMahon |
| Kevin Millar |
| The Miz |
| Mark Mulder |
| Adam Napier |
| John O’Hurley |
| T.J. Oshie |
| Jake Owen |
| Carson Palmer |
| Joe Pavelski |
| Michael Peña |
| Patrick Peterson |
| Alfonso Ribeiro |
| Jerry Rice |
| Rob Riggle |
| Aaron Rodgers |
| Ivan Rodriguez |
| Jimmy Rollins |
| Ray Romano |
| Tony Romo |
| C.C. Sabathia |
| Jason Scheff |
| Alex Smith |
| Emmett Smith |
| Harrison Smith |
| John Smoltz |
| Annika Sorenstam |
| Paige Spiranac |
| Kathryn Tappen |
| Miles Teller |
| Larry The Cable Guy |
| Joe Theismann |
| Adam Thielen |
| Justin Timberlake |
| Brian Urlacher |
| Chase Utley |
| Shane Victorino |
| Mike Vrabel |
| Dwyane Wade |
| Jack Wagner |
| Tim Wakefield |
| DeMarcus Ware |
| David Wells |
| Jayson Werth |
| Andrew Whitworth |
| Kyle Williams |
| Charles Woodson |
| Steve Young |
Sunday – July 3, 2022
Deer Brook Golf Club – Shelby, North Carolina
Gold Tee Yards 6950, Slope 73.7/136
White Tee Yards 6426, Slope 70.9/133
Black Tee Yards 5826, Slope 68.4/125
Orange Tee Yards 5200, Slope 69.4/121
Green Tee Yards 5034, Slope 69.4/121
Par 72
35 Players
“A” Flight
“Senior 70+”
Closest to Pin “A”
#3 Rock Jacobs 125 Points
#6 Gerald Henderson, Sr. 125 Points
Total 250 Points
Closest to Pin “Seniors”
#3 Coley Jeter 40 Points
#6 John Love 40 Points
Total 80 Points
Skins “A”
#6 Gerald Henderson, Sr. (Birdie) 625 Points
Skins “Seniors”
#3 Coley Jeter (Birdie) 150 Points
#6 John Love (Birdie) 150 Points
Total 300 Points
Low Score (A)
Rock Jacobs 34 250 Points
Low (Seniors)
Jerome Wingate 35 80 points
Points July 3, 2022
Total 1585 Points
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (July 5, 2022) – First Tee and PGA TOUR Champions announced today the 78 First Tee participants selected to play in the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee. The event, in its 19th year, will bring teens from First Tee chapters to Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course for the PGA TOUR Champions tournament, Sept. 20-25. The annual event, hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, is televised internationally on Golf Channel.
Throughout the week, the teens apply their character strengths and the life skills learned from First Tee programs during the one-of-a-kind event where they are paired with a PGA TOUR Champions player and amateurs from the business world. Ranging in ages from 14 to 18, the First Tee participants compete for the Pro-Junior Team title. The teens represent 52 First Tee chapters from across the country and – for the second year in a row – a participant from First Tee — Morocco will be in the field. Participants were selected by a national panel of judges based on their personal growth and development through First Tee’s programs, as well as their playing ability.
The full junior field was revealed live on Golf Channel’s “Golf Today” with host Damon Hack surprising Diego Ocasio from First Tee – Metropolitan New York with the news of his selection. In addition, several players and legends of the game helped surprise select participants leading up to the full field announcement, including World Golf Hall of Fame Member Jack Nicklaus, PGA TOUR players Stewart Cink, Cameron Champ and Austin Smotherman, PGA TOUR Champions players Ken Duke and Larry Mize and No. 1 APGA Collegiate Player and Duke University stand-out Quinn Riley.
In addition to the surprises, Bryson Hughes of First Tee – North Florida and Francesca Sumcad of First Tee – Silicon Valley each earned exemptions this month during the First Tee National Championship.
“Congratulations to the 78 participants who have been selected to play and represent First Tee on a national stage,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “This is a special year as First Tee celebrates our 25th anniversary of empowering youth and providing opportunities like the PURE Insurance Championship for participants to take their First Tee experience to the next level and explore the possibilities in golf and beyond. Thank you to our partners − PURE Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions, Pebble Beach Resorts, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Golf Channel − for their commitment to young people and helping us provide this opportunity to these deserving teens.”
This year’s field of PGA TOUR Champions players will feature World Golf Hall of Fame Members Bernhard Langer, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh, as well as three-time PURE Insurance Championship winners Kirk Triplett and KJ Choi, who will defend his title. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the PURE Insurance Championship.
Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Friday and Saturday. The final round will be contested solely at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, where 23 First Tee juniors will compete based on their 36-hole performance. The tournament will crown one male and one female First Tee Junior Champion on Sunday.
More than 1,000 teens from First Tee have played in the PURE Insurance Championship, experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet, play and be mentored by PGA TOUR Champions players and amateurs.
“Supporting these incredible young men and women along with the great work of First Tee through this sponsorship is tremendously rewarding for our entire team,” said Katie Krum, Chief Marketing Officer at PURE Insurance. “I know firsthand the impact and value that participating in youth sports can have on one’s development, personally and professionally, so I am particularly proud to be part of an organization that lends support to such a worthy cause.”
First Tee is a youth development organization that teaches life skills and helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee Headquarters to encourage and motivate participants as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.
The junior field for 2022 PURE Insurance Championship can be viewed here.
Fans will have another chance to take a peek at how Tiger Wood’s game is coming along on Monday, as he is playing with Irish businessman Michael Smurfit, Tony Smurfit and Sharon Smurfit at the J.P. McManus Pro-Am in Ireland. The family’s company once owned the K Club outside Dublin.
There was no sounding of the alarms on Golf Twitter over the weekend, according to Golf Digest, no wild frenzy from fans watching anxiously to see if a certain iconic golfer’s private jet had taken off for a trans-Atlantic flight. Unlike the Masters, PGA Championship and U.S. Open, Tiger Woods was not reluctant to share his intent to play in the upcoming Open Championship at St. Andrews.
The legendary golfer has called the Old Course his favorite in the whole wide world, and for a 46-year-old player, the course layout seems to be a good fit for a recuperating golfer, following significant injuries to his right leg after his roll-over car accident in February 2021.
Prior to arriving in Scotland and the Home of Golf, however, Woods’ schedule plans include one early stop. Shortly after playing the Masters in April and stating that he had his sights set on St. Andrews, The former World No. 1 player also announced he was dedicated to competing July 4-5 in the J.P. McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor in Limerick, Ireland.
As Woods continues to recover from his injury, one may wonder why he decided to participate. What is the J.P. McManus Pro-Am anyway? And Why is Tiger playing in it? Because, we recall that he struggled with tiredness during his round at the Masters in April, finishing 47th, and at the PGA Championship in May, the golfer did not complete the round, withdrawing before the end. And, remember, he did not play in the U.S. Open in June, saying he choose to rest up for the Open. So, the question is why then play a week ahead in a pro-am?
Consider this, the J.P. McManus isn’t just this isn’t any pro-am tournament. Irish businessman and philanthropist McManus hosts the two-day event and he also owns, among other things, Adare Manor, which is scheduled to host the 2027 Ryder Cup. At age 71, McManus launched his first pro-am back in 1990 and has continuously held the event every five years through 2010. Tiger has a history with the tournament and previously played in it in 2000, 2005 and 2010.
The event has also been an impressive fundraiser in its region for charities, garnering $160 million in the first five events, According to the pro-am’s website. The pro-am was postponed in 2020 due to the COVid pandemic, missing a scheduled sixth run, so this 2022 tournament is making an exciting return.
The J.P. McManus is highly popular with nine of the top 10 players in the World Ranking competing, and roughly 30 of the top 100 players, each paired with three amateur partners. The players confirmed to play include: Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth. Notably, the first Irishwoman to win a LPGA Tour event, Leona Maguire, is also playing.
Joining the list of top pros competing are also some recognizable amateur players: including Niall Horan, Jamie Doran and Bill Murray. Peek this, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan is also playing in the tournament (with his pro Tom Hoge and other amateurs are Johann Rupert and Phil Hogan) and DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley (his pro is Brandon Stone and other amateurs are Guy Kinnings and Keith Waters). So, the line-up is quite stunning.
to watch the pro-am, it will be streamed on Peacock from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. EDT on Monday and Tuesday, with a replay shown on Golf Channel from 7 p.m.-12:30 a..m. each night.
There have been a lot of talks lately about the rise of online gambling and betting. After all, the global online gambling market size is estimated to reach $112.09 billion by 2025, while the sports betting industry moves towards $140 billion. Everyone wants a piece of that! But what we’d like to know is what’s on the offer for golf fans?
Can online gambling and betting keep you properly entertained when you can’t play your favorite sport or when there are no events to follow? It seems that this versatile sector did have golf enthusiasts’ needs in mind. We did discover some interesting options that you may want to consider. If you want to learn more, like dice bitcoin, just keep reading, as we’ve got you covered!
Obviously, if you’re into golf and follow all the latest action, you can make the watching experience a tad more thrilling. How, one may wonder. Well, by betting on golf! Online bookmakers know this sport has a passionate fanbase and, therefore, make sure to feature it on their platform. Some of them even have mobile apps that let you place bets anywhere and anytime.
Online bookmakers cover various events from all around the world and all the important tournaments. Some of them also offer useful stats for those who want to make an in-depth analysis before wagering on any golfer. Great odds are often provided, and anyone can join the action. Okay, not just anyone. You must be of legal age and in a country where online betting is allowed. But you get the gist.
If betting on the real deal isn’t doing the thing for you, or there’s simply nothing to bet on, there are still options for golf fans. You’d be surprised that the fun for golf enthusiasts never ends, thanks to virtual golf betting. Virtual sports providers such as LEAP Gaming offer solutions that can keep you busy for hours.
The experience is immersive and engaging. It offers a life-like rendition of actual golf games and various betting opportunities. Moreover, providers also publish the return to player percentages of these games and specific bets. So, you always know what you’re getting yourself into.
These products work on all devices and often come in different languages. They offer action 24/7, performance statistics, and historical overviews, and there’s nothing not to like, really. Virtual golf is one of the top products when it comes to steps that the industry has taken to satisfy the appetites of passionate golf fans.
Well, video slots have been the superstar of online casinos. With their state-of-the-art graphic effects, realistic sounds, cool animations, and various bonus features; it only makes sense that players love spinning those reels. With thousands of online slot machines out there, it makes sense that some of them have the ever-popular golf theme.
These slots are perfect for keeping you entertained when there’s nothing to watch or bet on. For example, you can try Gold Champions by Spade gaming or Golden Tour by Playtech. Both games have themed symbols like golf balls and golfing shoes. More importantly, they boast rewarding bonus features that can earn you juicy prizes. Other top picks include The Argyle Open, Hole in Won, and The Back Nine. As we said, the options are plenty!
And if you don’t want to spend money on golf-themed slots, there’s more good news coming. Most of these are available in demo mode. Meaning, you get to enjoy the game with playing credits rather than real cash.
Of course, nothing can beat standing on the green, green grass and making the perfect swing. The same goes for hitting the ball into the hole. Ah, the sound, the feeling – both are irreplaceable. Yet, it’s always good to have some other options for when the real deal isn’t possible. That’s where the ever-growing online gambling and betting industry steps in to save the day. From betting on golf to virtual golf games and golf-themed slots, there are sure products for all those golfers thirsty for more.
June 29, 2022 — Ohio State University entered into a formal partnership with the state’s only private Historically Black College and University on Tuesday.
The first-of-its-kind agreement with Wilberforce University will create an advanced golf course management program.
The agreement pays homage to Wilberforce alum Bill Powell, who created the nation’s first Black-owned and racially integrated golf course in 1948 in East Canton. It’s now managed by his children, including Renee Powell, who in 1967, became the second Black woman to compete on the LPGA.
Elfred Anthony Pinkard, Wilbeforce’s president, said this partnership is significant.
“The notion that we would come together in 2022 and look at a partnership that will train our students for golf course management, where African Americans are not usually found, is incredibly historic,” he said.
Pinkard added the agreement between the universities is just the beginning of many potential partnerships with other institutions.
“This is the time when institutions are looking to partner with HBCUs,” Pinkard said. “We’re also looking at partnering around our engineering programs. And so this is an incredible opportunity. And I think we’re only limited by our imaginations and what we’re capable of doing together.”
Kristina Johnson, Ohio State’s president, said the agreement is a step forward toward closing the gap for opportunity in sports.
“It’s creating individual opportunities for everyone everywhere to change the history of exclusionary to inclusionary,” Johnson said.
The partnership includes courses in turf grass management, history of golf courses and golf management. The classes will be offered through OSU’s college of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
Starting this fall, Wilberforce students will be able to enroll in online classes through OSU and begin earning credits and earn a completed certificate.
“Soooo excited to have successfully completed the Leadership Rotational Program at Callaway Golf and step into my new role as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Engagement,” said Las Vegas, NV native Mackenzie Mack, MBA, LPGA, PGA on her Facebook page.
Mackenzie, a current resident of Carlsbad, CA, was awarded a full golf scholarship to Indiana State University (ISU) where she became the first Black woman to compete as a member of the Women’s Golf Team. Mackenzie graduated from ISU in 2010 with a major in Marketing and minors in Finance and Spanish and achieved magna cum laude honors. She also received a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the ISU Scott College of Business in 2011.
During her time at Indiana State, Mackenzie also spent one season as the ISU Women’s Golf Team Assistant Coach and co-founded a non-profit organization called Tee it Up, Inc. As a student of the game, Mackenzie has perfected her craft by becoming a teaching professional member of the LPGA and has status on both the Suncoast Ladies and LPGA Symetra Tours.
When it comes to women and diversity, since 2019, over 50% of the new hires and promotions into management-level positions have occurred across Callaway within the U.S.
Cletis Dozier of Charlotte, North Carolina had his 2nd Hole-in-One on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Edgewater Golf Club, Lancaster, South Carolina on Hole #4, 129 yards, using a 9 iron TaylorMade Club and Titleist Pro V1 Ball. His playing partners were Larry Gladden, Art Phillips and David Waddell.
St. Petersbug, FL (June 19, 2022) The local Sickle Cell Disease Association (SCDA) of St. Petersburg, Florida joined the National Campaign to raise Sickle Cell awareness in the surrounding community and around the world. Their goal is to build support networks through engagement and collaborations to advocate for access to equal health care services for sickle cell clients. This year commemorates the 50th Year Anniversary of the local St. Petersburg Chapter whose President/Founder is Mary Murph.
On June 22, a Big Brother-Little Brother, Big Sister- Lil Sis Golfing Tournament was held at the St. Petersburg Twin Brooks, a par 3, 9-hole golf course. The golf event was sponsored by the St. Petersburg Golf Club and The Men of Yesterday, Today, and The Future, a non-profit organization that provides mentoring and support services to public schools and community groups.
The outing garnered 20 two-person teams (adult/child 40 participants). The First Tee Program of St. Petersburg provided the host organizations with some enthusiastic kid participants who were paired with adult golfers. One notable golf participant was Rufus “Jabbo” Lewis who is enshrined in the African American Golfers Hall of Fame, West Palm Beach, Fla.
The format for the golf tournament was best ball with the stipulation that the child team member had to make the first putt attempt on every green. The winning score was a 26 with 3 teams tied at 27. Trophies were presented to the top 3 teams and every child participant received a golf medallion. The event raised slightly over $3,000 for the host organization’s sickle cell clients and families. So many positive responses to this golf event were received and plans for next year are in the works.
For more information on the Men of Yesterday, Today and Future visit MOYTF.org. For more information on The Sickle Cell Association of St. Petersburg visit sicklecellstpete.org.
DETROIT (June 30, 2022) – Intersport today announced the men’s field of players committed to compete in THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage. The 36-hole stroke play competition for Black male professional and amateur golfers will be held July 23-24 at Detroit Golf Club in Detroit, Michigan. A one-hour TV special about THE JOHN SHIPPEN will air on CBS leading into final-round coverage of the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday, July 31.
The winner of the event will earn an exemption into the Rocket Mortgage Classic (July 28–31). Eleven of the 22 men in the field for the 2022 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage are SHIPPEN alumni, including defending champion Tim O’Neal.
THE JOHN SHIPPEN, designed to showcase Black amateur and professional golfers, is named after John Shippen, Jr., who was the first American-born golf professional and also the country’s first Black golf professional. Shippen was bestowed PGA of America membership posthumously in 2009.
To ensure that any financial barriers are removed, THE JOHN SHIPPEN will cover all travel costs (airfare and hotel) for participating players.
“Intersport is thrilled about the men’s field commitments for THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage said Jason Langwell, Executive Vice President of Intersport and Executive Director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. “THE JOHN SHIPPEN is a vehicle to provide opportunities that can fundamentally increase diversity in golf on a national scale. The strength of this year’s men’s field solidifies our confidence that THE JOHN SHIPPEN is the right platform for these deserving players to compete, and combat the imbalance of access, opportunities and equity for Black golfers that has long existed in the golf industry.”
THE JOHN SHIPPEN NATIONAL GOLF INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY ROCKET MORTAGE
(Players Listed in Alphabetical Order)
MEN’S FIELD
Name / Age / Status / College / Hometown
RYAN ALFORD (25) – Professional (Louisiana Tech) – Shreveport, Louisiana
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– 2022 Farmers Insurance Open (PGA TOUR) participant
– Two-time APGA Champion
DANIEL AUGUSTUS (34) – Professional (Paine College) – Bermuda
– 27 professional wins (eight in 2021)
– Four top 5s & three top 10s in the last nine APGA Tour events
– 2019 qualified for Butterfield Bermuda Championship (PGA TOUR)
– 2012 Bermuda Open champion
AARON BEVERLY (27) – Professional (Sacramento State) – Vallejo, California
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– 2022 Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption (PGA TOUR)
– 2022 PGA Tour Canada (Mackenzie Tour) member
– 2021 APGA Tour Fall Series Finale champion
MARCUS BYRD (24) – Professional (Middle Tennessee State) – Ann Arbor, Michigan
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Champion of APGA TPC Louisiana in 2021 (First start)
– 2020 U.S. Amateur participant
– 2019 Conference USA Player of the Year
KEVIN HALL (39) – Professional (The Ohio State University) – Cincinnati, Ohio
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Won the 2004 Big Ten Championship by 11 shots
– Earned conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour for the 2018 season
– Four-time APGA Tour winner
MICHAEL HERRERA (24) – Professional (Riverside City College) – Los Angeles, California
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Two professional wins
– Five professional top 5s
JOE HOOKS (27) – Professional (Wayne State University) – Detroit, Michigan
– 2022 APGA Tour T3 TPC Harding Park
– 2022 APGA Tour T2 TPC Las Vegas
– 2020 seven Top 10s on APGA Tour and 4 Top 5s
CHASE JOHNSON (26) – Professional (Kent State University) – Barberton, Ohio
– Korn Ferry Tour member 2020 and 2021 seasons
– Solo second finish at the 2020 TPC Colorado Championship (Korn Ferry Tour)
– 2017-2018 All American honorable mention
KAMAIU JOHNSON (28) – Professional – Tallahassee, Florida
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Four PGA TOUR starts
– Three-time winner on the APGA Tour
WILLIE MACK III (32) – Professional (Bethune-Cookman University) – Flint, Michigan
– Five PGA TOUR starts
– Four Korn Ferry Tour starts
– Three PGA TOUR Latinoamérica starts
– 70 professional wins
SAMBA NIANG (33) – Professional (Senegal) – Dakar/Senegal
– Senegal’s number one professional
– 23 professional wins in West Africa
TIM O’NEAL (49) – Professional (Jackson State) – Savannah, Georgia
– Champion 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Three-time winner on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica
– Ten-time winner on the APGA Tour
– Qualified for 2016 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay
– 16 collegiate wins
TOKS PEDRO (26) – Professional (Rutgers University) – Bowie, Maryland
– Five professional wins on the Minor League and Moonlight Golf Tours
– Member of the APGA Tour
– First Nigerian citizen to qualify for the U.S. Amateur (2018 at Pebble Beach)
– First Nigerian citizen to qualify for a PGA TOUR-sanctioned tour (PGA TOUR China 2019)
– Captain of the Rutgers golf team
XAVIER PROCTOR (21) – Amateur (Livingstone College) – Shelby, North Carolina
– One collegiate win
– Three college top 5 finishes
QUINN RILEY (22) – Amateur (Duke University) – Minneapolis, Minnesota
– One collegiate win (2022 Stitch Intercollegiate Championship)
– Three collegiate Top 10s
– 2022 Ranked #1 APGA Rankings
– First African-American golfer in Duke University program history
MARCUS SMITH (20) – Amateur (Eastern Michigan) – Temple Hills, Maryland
– One collegiate win
– Two collegiate top 10s
KRISTOPHER STILES (19) – Amateur (San Jose State University) – Palmdale, California
– Two collegiate top 10s
– 2021 Academic All-Mountain West and Mountain West Scholar Athlete.
JOEY STILLS (25) – Professional (University of West Florida) – Orlando, Florida
– Two professional wins
– Finished third in the 2022 APGA Billy Horschel Invitational Championship
– Finished T2 at the 2018 PGA Works Collegiate Championship
TROY TAYLOR II (22) – Amateur (Michigan State) – Westerville, Ohio
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– One collegiate win
– Three collegiate top 5s
TREY VALENTINE (24) – Professional (University of South Florida) – Biloxi, Mississippi
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Big East Freshman of the Year
– Two collegiate wins
– Five years APGA Player Development Program
EVERETT WHITEN JR. (22) – Amateur (Howard University) – Chesapeake, Virginia
– Two collegiate wins
– Howard record holder for lowest 18- and 54-hole total
– MEAC champions 2022 (two-time All MEAC Team)
WYATT WORTHINGTON (35) – Professional (Methodist University) – Columbus, OH
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– 2016 PGA Championship participant (Baltusrol)
– 2022 PGA Championship participant (Southern Hills)
– First African-American to win Ohio Section Championship 2021
– Two APGA top 5s
Intersport collaborated with Woods and Watts Effect to design THE JOHN SHIPPEN as a vehicle to fundamentally increase diversity in golf and to create opportunities for young men and women of color in sports on a national scale.
A National Invitational committee was formed to help lead the recruitment and evaluation of players. The committee consists of more than a dozen leaders who support the advancement of Black golfers and includes coaches from HBCU schools, leaders from golf governing bodies and from men’s and women’s national golf events. The National Invitational committee is responsible for identifying the top Black professional and amateur golfers and recommending that group to the Selection Committee, which includes representatives from Intersport, the PGA TOUR, the LPGA, Woods & Watts Effect, Rocket Mortgage, Meijer and Dow. Any male or female professional or amateur golfer who identifies as Black can also submit their profile to [email protected].
“We are excited to welcome the men who have accepted our invitation to participate in THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage,” said Sommer Woods, Co-Founder of Woods and Watts Effect, Tournament Lead for THE JOHN SHIPPEN and Volunteer Vice Chair of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. “We are delighted that THE JOHN SHIPPEN continues to provide these players the access to get to the next level and advance their golf careers in a way that has never existed for them.”
Tim O’Neal won the inaugural THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage in 2021, carding a final-round four-under-par 68 en route to a tournament total five-under-par 139 and a historic victory.
Later this year, THE JOHN SHIPPEN Sports Business Summit will take place to create national awareness and opportunities for high school and college students of color interested in pursuing careers in the business of sports. The summit will take place in person September 23-24 in Detroit.
For updated information on THE JOHN SHIPPEN, please visit www.thejohnshippen.com/and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@TheJohnShippen) and on Twitter (@TheJShippen). For information about sponsorship opportunities or how to get involved, email us at [email protected].
