Rich Parker of Davidson, North Carolina had his 2nd Hole-in-One on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at Lexington Golf Club, Lexington, North Carolina on Hole #12 using 9 iron TaylorMade Club and Bridgestone Ball. His playing partners were Patrick Mack and Jeff Winchester.
ATLANTA, Ga., MAY 2022: Invited (formerly known as ClubCorp), the leading owner-operator of private golf and social clubs in North America built on the central purpose of growing diversity and equity through Building Relationships and Enriching Lives®, and American Soul Brothers, a veteran/certified minority-owned gourmet barbeque sauce company, have announced their partnership to advance opportunities that grow minority and women-owned companies.
Invited CEO David Pillsbury and American Soul Brothers met at the Inaugural African American Golf Expo and Forum held in Atlanta this past August. One of the objectives of the expo was to introduce minority businesses to supplier diversity opportunities across the golf industry. Pillsbury was impressed with American Soul Brothers sauces and equally impressed by the perseverance of co-owners Kevin Shirley and Omar White. They have had manufacturing, marketing, and a team for nine years but still haven’t advanced in the market.
“Distribution was the continuously missing piece,” said Shirley. “It’s been a lot of pounding the pavement and making connections that ended in empty promises.”
Pillsbury was surprised by their story. Two weeks after their meeting, Pillsbury sent a team to American Soul Brothers to establish distribution connections with Avendra and US Foods.“
Invited’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is to foster a culture that values and champions diversity and is ultimately free of discrimination and oppression of any kind,” said Pillsbury.
“This is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our product to the Invited family, Shirley said. “We look forward to working with the Invited team to establish a long-term relationship. We appreciate the leadership of David Pillsbury and his executive team for making this opportunity a reality. In addition, US Foods is one of the main distributors for Invited, and they’re also looking to partner on this endeavor.”
Invited and American Soul Brothers will further strengthen their relationship with the common goal of building meaningful relationships that model opportunities for minorities and women. The partnership will also work with youth in their communities to teach them the world of business entrepreneurship through golf.
About Invited
Since its founding in 1957, Dallas-based Invited has operated with the central purpose of Building Relationships and Enriching Lives®. The leading owner-operator of private golf and country clubs and city and stadium clubs in North America, Invited is relentless in its pursuit of providing extraordinary experiences, meaningful connections, shared passions, and memorable moments for its more than 400,000 members. With approximately 20,000 peak-season employees and a portfolio of 200 owned or operated golf and country clubs, city clubs, sports clubs, and stadium clubs in 29 states, and seven BigShots Golf locations. Invited creates communities and a lifestyle through its championship golf courses, workspaces, handcrafted cuisine, resort-style pools, tennis and pickleball facilities, golf lounges, fitness centers, and robust programming.
Marquee Invited properties include:
Firestone Country Club (Akron, Ohio); Mission Hills Country Club (Rancho Mirage, California); The Woodlands Country Club (Houston, Texas); and The Metropolitan Club (Chicago, Illinois).
About American Soul Brothers
American Soul Brothers is a certified, minority-owned/veteran-owned, clean ingredient gourmet barbeque sauce and spread company. From their bases in Atlanta Ga. and Vancouver, Wash., they create clean-ingredient products that are low/zero sodium, low-fat/zero fat, and low in sugars—pour them on everything from tofu to pig. In addition, American Soul Brothers has giving back to their community built into their business model. Their social entrepreneur program teaches business-minded youth the benefits of entrepreneurship and doing business the American Soul Brothers way by valuing relationships over transactions. Healthier barbeque comfort foods and giving back is why Heart and Soul in Every Bottle™ is printed on every label.
To learn more about American Soul Brothers, go to AmericanSoulBrothers.com and pour on the soul.
Winner of Girls’ and Boys’ Divisions earn spot into PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links in September
South Bend, Indiana – First Tee will host 48 of its teenage participants at the second annual First Tee National Championship at the University of Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course, June 27 – July 1. The 54-hole event brings together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the collegiate or next level.
The field includes 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience. The participants have spent an average of eight years in the program and represent 28 First Tee chapters across the country. Four players in the field are ranked on the American Junior Golf Association and Junior Golf Scoreboard Top 250, including Symran Shah from First Tee – Greater Dallas, who will be returning to defend her National Championship Girls’ Division title.
Top-ranked junior golfers in the field:
In addition, Matthew French from First Tee — North Florida recently qualified for the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur at Brandon Dunes Golf Resort, Brandon, Ore. July 25-30.
View the full list of selected participants here.
“Congratulations to each of the participants in the field,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “We look forward to hosting them at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course, a tremendous venue that provides our participants the opportunity to explore what their future may look like as they consider college and potential plans to pursue competitive golf beyond high school. A special thanks to our long-time Trustee Fred Tattersall for his commitment to our mission and for providing meaningful national opportunities like the First Tee National Championship.”
The winners of each girls’ and boys’ divisions will be awarded with the Tattersall Cup and will earn an exemption, if eligible, into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee held at Pebble Beach Golf Links September 20-25, 2022.
During the week, participants will have the opportunity to hear from PGA Head Golf Professional Steve Scott on what it means to be a game-changer and how his values intersected with his experience of finishing runner-up to Tiger Woods in the 1996 U.S. Amateur Championship.
First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college campuses around the nation, providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. The Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. For more information on the tournament and First Tee, visit http://www.firsttee.org.
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About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrates its 25th anniversary and reaching millions of youth through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.
This stretch will loosen tight back muscles and also assist with loosening the hamstrings. Your golf swing posture and athletic position at the top will benefit from this important stretch. Begin By standing with feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the waist while taking your hips back and reach for your toes.
Stretching your hamstrings and calf muscles will ensure proper low body posture in your swing and prevent lower back pain. Golfers most often struggle with poor low body posture because of tight hamstrings and calves, so getting these muscle groups warm and loose before tee-off is essential!
To lengthen those core muscles (your lats and abdominals) hold a golf club or stick above your head and reach for the sky as far as you can. More flexibility in your core muscles will help you rotate functionally during the golf swing. breathe deep and reach for the sky!
The muscles in your lower back, glutes, and legs can be lengthened with this easy pre-game stretch. Simply reach the golf club as far away from your body as possible, bend at the waist and take your hips back, allowing your lats and back to stretch. Loosening these muscles will allow you to swing the club all the way back and all the way through with great ease.
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For professional golfers who jumped to play in the LIV Golf Invitational Series, It has now been reported by The Telegraph that the Saudi-backed series will pay the $122k+ in fines dealt out by the DP World Tour. The fines will reimburse 17 players who broke membership guidelines.
LIV reportedly did not comment on whether they would provide the $1.2Million+ for the fines. Although, according to one series insider, it has been confirmed that the group will honor assurances to those who took part in the first event in Hertfordshire.
The sanctions against the golf “rebels” by the DP World Tour were confirmed last week with the likes of Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia banned from teeing it up in co-sanctioned DP World Tour and PGA Tour events. That includes this year’s Genesis Scottish Open. Within those sanctions were the $122,000 fines, with players risking further sanctions for teeing it up in future LIV Golf events without permission.
MAITLAND, Fla. – The American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) announced it would begin accepting applications for its Golden Pear Grants beginning Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. When awarded, these grants will provide unrestricted funds to help support nonprofit organizations throughout the United States, according to a June 23 announcement. Organizations can complete and submit a simple application online at www.AmFund.org/giving. This is the first step to qualifying for a Golden Pear Grant. The submission deadline is 3:00 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.
The Golden Pear Grants were launched in the midst of the covid pandemic when nonprofit organizations were struggling to meet their fundraising goals. Since 2020, AmFund has awarded more than $250,000 in grants and more than $3 million in unrestricted donations to nonprofit organizations through its signature programs.
“Our Golden Pear Grants have become another hallmark of the American Fundraising Foundation – funding the cause of so many worthy nonprofits,” said Deborah Marshall, COO of the American Fundraising Foundation. “AmFund has been and will continue to be a trusted advisor to nonprofits as we provide educational seminars, media training, a speaker’s bureau, and much-needed unrestricted funds for all the exceptional work being done by nonprofits that are devoted to saving and enhancing lives and communities every day.”
Applying for a Golden Pear Grant is much simpler than a standard grant application. “It is our desire to ensure organizations are able to complete the application process in less than an hour, thus reducing precious staff time from the very outset,” observed Marshall. “The multiple awards will range between $1,000 and $25,000 and are unrestricted”.
Each year, the number of applicants has increased for these prestigious grants. As a result, the AmFund Board continues to set aside larger amounts each cycle and increase the number of organizations selected for AmFund’s other fundraising programs – all at no cost to the nonprofits.
About the American Fundraising Foundation
Each year, the American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) carefully chooses organizations to support through sponsorship of events, year-end grant distribution, virtual silent auctions, and other programs to raise much-needed unrestricted funds for the important mission of those organizations. AmFund currently partners with over 500 organizations in support of their funding needs.
The national headquarters of AmFund is located in Florida and is a designated Florida nonprofit foundation. Its Educational Foundation is a Federally recognized 501(c)3 and provides professional training for Development Directors, Executive Directors, Board Members, and others leveraging more than two decades of fundraising experience. It offers expertise in a wide variety of topics for groups ranging in size from 12 to 1000.
Since its inception in 1999, the American Fundraising Foundation has donated more than $44 million to worthy causes. Its signature silent auctions featuring once-in-a-lifetime experiences are presented at organizations’ special events, whether in person, virtual or hybrid events, drawing admiration, praise and excitement as the entire process elevates the event in the eyes of patrons, board members and the community.
Additionally, AmFund annually distributes unrestricted funds known as Golden Pear Grants, to select organizations.
The Golden Pear, prominently part of AmFund’s logo, is deeply rooted in history as well as in its mission. Throughout history, even before the written word, the pear has been honored as a sacred fruit signifying wisdom, prosperity, good health, longevity, and future happiness – all the things Amfund seeks for its nonprofit partners.
For more information about AmFund, visit www.amfund.org or call (407) 895-8000. Read AmFund’s blog at www.amfund.org/blog and connect on Facebook and LinkedIn.
By Byron M. Perry
Follow on Twitter @BPerry918
This year has just been different, as the headlines today have become centered around the business and the money of the game. As we follow the game of golf we cannot overlook or overcome the transformative dollars being mentioned in every single facet of this ‘gentleman’s’ game, which leads me to ask. “Has the ‘game’ of golf outgrown the ability to grow the game?
Let me be perfectly clear up front, I am not against any individual profiting from their abilities to earn a rate that is available in the marketplace. I am aware of the issues within the professional game that have caused considerable discord when one takes a stance on one side or the other. I also understand that an evolving marketplace is inevitable – this is a global game literally whereas the other major sports leagues based in the US may have foreign-born players golf has championships contested offshore that are integral to the legacy of the sport. The issue today is rooted in the most fundamental aspect of economics, supply and demand.
It has become obvious that the supply of money flowing into the game from ALL sources is more than the game has ever seen. Professional players are now earning purses, annual winnings, and career income at historic record levels. Due to the pandemic players that had more to do and weren’t getting out for their regular foursomes have come back in large numbers along with newbies who have long been interested in golf but now view getting outside and being around friends is a valuable usage of time after enduring the dreaded ‘Q’ word.
In many instances, a bucket of range balls has gone up in price, and the latest golf shoes for those who believe in looking good from head to toe are pushing $300 a pair. All these examples equate to the demand for golf increasing, yet there is also an undercurrent of supply and demand that many do not account for which is the increasing supply of money in the game making the demand amongst those with access push out those who don’t have access.
The existing efforts at hand to grow the game of golf are happening at multiple levels. Youth are an obvious starting point, while tours in Canada, Latin America and the APGA are now sponsored by the PGA of America. When collegiate players can now sign on for multi-million guaranteed money deals one has to expect that the upcoming ranks of junior golfers will be highly populated by those who have the ability at the early levels to afford the coaching, equipment and courses necessary to make strides toward cashing in. One must wonder if the game of ‘money golf’ is even relevant to the masses or has the financial evolution made the game appear to be for none other than the funded elite.
If attention is not given to the current direction of the game, golf could end up with the type of issues that now affect Major League Baseball. You know what I’m speaking to, and you know the questions as to why MLB no longer has a growing contingent of African American ballplayers following in the footsteps of Jackie Robinson. It starts at the youth level and baseball is now considered an expensive sport due to the cost of equipment and the travel baseball element that allows players to develop their skills against the best players throughout the country. In the same decade that MLB has been trying to build for its future players the game it has also seen hundred-million-dollar salaries, and work stoppages all over discussions of money.
The caretakers of golf have got to be careful, vigilant and steadfast to the mission of growing the game. There are questions today regarding the direction and delivery of assets to place golf in the hands of the masses. If the focus becomes solely about the money that is earned at the highest level, this game could really become stale and nothing more than a traveling billionaire boys club of matches. Even worse, the lack of a diverse younger generation to populate the professional ranks at some point will cause the viewership to fall and sponsors left to question if investing in the game provides the return they are looking for.
Jim Beatty, President of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures and Expo Organizer announces Carlos Brown, PGA, as a keynote speaker at the 2nd Annual African American Golf Expo & Forum being held August 27-31 in Charlotte, NC. Carlos will speak and conduct a workshop on the Mental Game of Golf and Adaptive Golf.
JIM ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO REGISTER AND MAKE THEIR HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW. RATE GOES UP AFTER JULY 1. Register at https://aagolfexpo.com/register-herehttp://JIM ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO REGISTER AND MAKE THEIR HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW. RATE GOES UP AFTER JULY 1. Register at https://aagolfexpo.com/register-here
As a golf professional for the past nineteen years, Carlos has been a blessing to many people—especially golfers of every level from novice to his tour players. He has been able to be so generous with others since he has had special circumstances in his life that he met head-on to overcome. He knows firsthand what it takes to achieve success. The majority of his career has been helping tournament players succeed.
Carlos is one of the top teaching professionals in the USA. At only age 42 he has been teaching for 19 years. Besides the many achievements and awards, Carlos has earned over his teaching career he has developed an ability to connect with his students. This connection helps students of all ages and abilities to blend the physical aspect of playing golf with the mental characteristics needed to play at higher levels. This combination has enabled his students to achieve great results in tournament play and individual amateur breakthroughs.
Carlos has always loved competing as well, so some years after his sudden amputation in 2016, he decided to get back to competing again because he saw this as not only a second opportunity but also a platform to share his story, and promote positive mental health and adaptive golf. As of 2021, Carlos has been competing in adaptive golf as well as non-adaptive events all over the United States and parts of Europe. In his first outing back on the links, he finished second in the Texas Adaptive Golf Championship and then earned third place in the Waco Amputee Open.
Carlos was named as a member of the USA 2022 Cairns Ryder Cup Team at The Shire London; an event in line with the Ryder Cup matches designed to grow and promote opportunities for disabled golfers in the USA and Europe. Carlos also has the distinct honor of being selected to compete in the USGA US Adaptive Open; the 15th national championship for the USGA.
Most of Carlos’ students are tournament players so Carlos came up with a program called Swing DNA, where he focuses on the internal to external parts of a player’s game. Each human is unique. Each human has unlimited potential. Distinguish between who you are and what you do. Golf is a game to be played. Developing balance is essential. Performance is not just about getting the ball in the hole. By understanding one’s self every player can develop into a player. Swing DNA is the physical, technical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of golf and life because they are integrated.
Carlos continues to study and work with some of the best teaching professionals and players in the USA and has been recognized in numerous publications and by industry professionals.
•Golf Digest, Top 40 Best Teachers Under 40 in US (2010-2019)
•Golf Digest Best Teachers in State 2020-21, 2022-23
•Avid Golfer, Top 29 Best Teachers in Metroplex (2010-2011)
•Golf Digest, •Greatest Teacher in US Nominee (2011, 2013, 2015)
•FCG Tour Top 25 Elite Junior Instructor in US Award (2016-2017) (17-18)
•FCG Top 50 Master Elite Junior Instructor (2018)
•GRAA Magazine, Top 50 Growth of the Game Instructor in US (2018,2021)
GRAA Magazine, Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
•African American Golfer’s Digest Teacher of the Year
•85 collegiate scholarship players in 19 years through his program •Proponent Group Member (current)
•Nike Elite Staffer
•Callaway Master Staff Professional
•Callaway National Junior Board
•Callaway Adaptive Team Member
•Scottish Rite Hospital, Tee Up for Teachers Certification. Train other golf professionals to teach amputees and children with disabilities
• Mental Training Inc, Certified in mental training
•Tempo In Motion Rhythm, Teaching Instructor
•US National Junior Team Coach
Carlos is one of the top teaching professionals in the USA. Carlos has been teaching for 15 years. One of his greatest assets is the ability to see every part of the golf swing. He has worked and studied with some of the best teaching professionals in the USA.
Carlos was one of three Golf Digest-ranked teaching pros to teach at the exclusive Golf Digest Green Tie Gala along with Randy Smith and his mentor Pat O’Brien. He also works with golf pros, tour players, top junior, college, and amateur players. In his 15 years of teaching, he has helped over 70 junior golfers receive college scholarships and has helped numerous golf professionals pass their playing ability test for the PGA.
Carlos is the Director of Instruction at Integrity Golf Performance and the Carlos Brown Golf Academy (CBGA). CBGA is a multifaceted golf instructional academy.
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 PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has admitted that the LIV Golf series had applied for Official World Golf Ranking points. To make this determination, an 8-person board of the OWGR will will have to decide. Some industry professionals say that whatever the shake-out, that in 2023 the Tour will surely undergo a majorchange, as it is set to bring about eight new, no-cut, events for the top 50 players in the FedEx Cup rankings to earn substantial cash rewards.
So, where has the money been all this time? Many courious fans and players are asking that same question. PGA Tour players have already been made aware of the wholesale changes to the tour schedule and FedEx Cup that will begin in the fall of 2023, according to several of the pros who were present at a mandatory meeting ahead of this week’s Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn.
The money pot grows starting next year, when schedule of the PGA Tour will add eight limited-field no-cut events, with purses of $20 million or more each. The big grab will be available for the top 50 finishers in the prior season’s FedEx Cup standings. Tournaments are spread apart, with some taking place during the prime of the season, with others happening in the fall. Players who rank outside the top 50 will be able to compete in an alternate series of tournaments, competing to keep their cards and earn better status for the following season. This structure change would be enacted in conjunction with the tour returning to a season based on the calendar year. If you recall, back in the 2013-14 season, the tour switched from a calendar-based schedule to a wraparound campaign.
The 90-minutes meeting with players was informative, however, it seemed to bring about a lot more questions than answers. For about 30-minutes, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan spoke and reiterated his belief that the PGA Tour is in a great position. Although he described the tour as being “under attack”, he assured players that they are “strong when we are united,” and referenced its strong, long-standing relationship with its corporate partners.
Monahan did acknowledge that the LIV Golf series had applied for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. Whether they receive those will be up to the eight-person board of the OWGR, which includes heavy-hitters Monahan, DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley, along with representatives from the USGA, R&A, PGA of America, Augusta National Golf Club and the International Federation of PGA Tours. Chairman of the OWGR board Peter Dawson is the former CEO of the R&A. So, that alone brings some thought for later, ongoing conversations.
Until the board makes its decision as to whether to give points to the LIV Golf events, there will be substantial waiting period in effect. If the board decides not to give the points, players would only be able to earn points through the major championships. Currently, PGA Tour’s suspension of LIV players and their lawyers are feeling very confident about their battle in court. And those opportunities will become scarce, as the OWGR is used to fill out major fields beyond those already exempt.
PGA Tour officials acknowledged talk of further integration between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, which sources have told Golf Digest is under consideration from both sides, but discuss in any detail, according to SocialGolfer.com. The DP World Tour has also received significant pressure from its rank-and-file members to engage with LIV Golf, for they see the DPWT as the loser in a tit-for-tat battle between the PGA Tour and LIV.
The drama continues….
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Nev., June 22 – Stephen Curry, fresh off the Golden State Warriors’ fourth NBA championship in the past eight seasons and his unanimous selection as Finals MVP, will bring recognition as one of basketball history’s greatest players along with his golf skills to Edgewood Tahoe for the 33rd annual American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe, July 8-10.
Joining Steph will be his father Dell, and brother Seth. With the participation of the three Currys, the star power just jumped the charts at celebrity golf’s pre-eminent tournament. They will join a field with Justin Timberlake, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers, Annika Sorenstam, Charles Barkley and first-time participants Colin Jost of Saturday Night Live, WWE Superstar The Miz, and Jake Owen, country music singer/songwriter.
The lineup represents 13 Hall of Famers, 17 Most Valuable Player Awards, and multiple Cy Young Award winners. With Timberlake, Ray Romano, Anthony Anderson,and other entertainment celebrities, the field also boasts winners of multiple Emmy, Grammy and other awards.
The American Century Championship will be televised nationally Friday, 7:30—9:30 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel; Saturday and Sunday, 2:30—6:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
Tickets are now available online only in advance at: www.AmericanCenturyChampionship.com with daily tickets for Wednesday’s practice round and Thursday’s Celebrity-Amateur at $30, and tournament rounds Friday, Saturday and Sunday at $40 per day.
For Curry, it represents his 10th appearance at the American Century Championship. His best finish was fourth on three occasions: T4 in 2013, 2017 and 2020. He was 9th last year. Caesars Sportsbook has him listed as one of the top eight favorites at 12:1 odds.
The American Century Championship in scenic Lake Tahoe features a purse of $600,000 with $125,000 to the winner. Charity fundraising has produced over $6 million for non-profits over the years. The tournament is played over lakefront Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, a George Fazio design, with re-design elements from Tom Fazio. It is rated by Golf Digest Magazine as one of “America’s Top 100 Golf Courses.”
Vinny Del Negro will defend his 2021 title against top celebrity contenders including Annika Sorenstam, one of the greatest professional players in history with 72 LPGA Tour wins and eight Player of the Year Awards; Tony Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, current CBS NFL analyst, and two-time winner of the ACC; Mark Mulder, three-time ACC champion and former MLB pitcher; Mardy Fish, 2020 tournament champion, former tennis star and current captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team; and John Smoltz, MLB Hall of Fame pitcher, 2018 U.S. Senior Open qualifier and Fox MLB analyst.
A contingent of 30 NFL stars are in the field together with current quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, 2021 NFL MVP; and Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders. Active players also feature Robbie Gould, 49ers; Adam Thielen, Harrison Smith and Patrick Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.
Hall of Famers feature Michael Strahan, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Tim Brown, Jerome Bettis, Terrell Davis, Brian Urlacher, and Charles Woodson; as well as former All-Pros Larry Fitzgerald, DeMarcus Ware, Kyle Williams, and Jim McMahon. Also in the field is head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans.
NBA representation includes local favorite Charles Barkley; Del Negro; current Miami Heat star Kyle Lowry and Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, making his tournament debut; and Vince Carter, eight-time All-Star and current ESPN analyst.
Including Annika, women in the field feature Dylan Dreyer, meteorologist for NBC News and The Today Show; Kathryn Tappen, NBC Sports anchor and on-air personality; and Kira K. Dixon, GOLF Channel reporter and 2015 Miss America.
The lineup of entertainers, actors and comedians feature Jost, Miles Teller, Anthony Anderson, Alfonso Ribeiro, Michael Pena, Ray Romano, Rob Riggle, Brian Baumgartner, John O’Hurley, Larry the Cable Guy, Jay DeMarcus, formerly of Rascal Flatts, Jason Scheff, former singer and bassist for Chicago, and Jack Wagner, two-time champion and one of two originals along with Jim McMahon to have played in all 32 American Century Championships.
Major League Baseball players showcase Smoltz, teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Tom Glavine, CC Sabathia, Joe Maurer, Jimmy Rollins, Kevin Millar, Shane Victorino, Tim Wakefield, David Wells, and first-timers Jon Lester and Jayson Werth.
The 54-hole competition will test the golf skills of more than 80 players. Additions to the field will be announced leading up to the championship in July. The current tournament field is available Here.
The 2022 American Century Championship will utilize the Modified Stableford format whereby points are awarded by score per hole.
American Century Investments, the title sponsor of the championship since 1999, continues its role in partnership with NBC Sports, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course and the South Tahoe community.
For the latest details and fan contests using #ACCgolf go to @ACChampionship on Twitter and Instagram, and Facebook. For tournament information: www.AmericanCenturyChampionship.com.
June 22, 2022 – Officials with the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour today announced the World Wide Technology (WWT) APGA Player Development Bonus Program designed to provide the best season-long performers from the APGA’s player development program with financial assistance, access to PGA TOUR qualifying and additional promotional opportunities as the group of young, minority golfers continue chasing their dreams in professional golf.
The $20,000 bonus program will be distributed to the five top players based on the final Lexus Cup Point Standings following the Mastercard APGA Tour Championship in August with the top player receiving $7,500. World Wide Technology will also bring the top five eligible players from the final standings to Mexico for the 2022 World Wide Technology Mayakoba Championship Monday qualifying in November. Players in the program include Ryan Alford, Aaron Beverly, Marcus Byrd, Mulbe Dillard, Christian Heavens, Michael Herrera, Kamaiu Johnson, Rovonta Young, Mahindra Lutchman, Willie Mack III, Cameron Riley, Joseph Stills, Trey Valentine, Andrew Walker, Davin White and Wyatt Worthington.
“A significant part of WWT’s PGA TOUR sponsorship for the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba is the synergy and alignment with the PGA TOUR to want to make the game inclusive and accessible for all people,” stated Matt Horner, Senior Vice President, Global Enterprise Sales for World Wide Technology. “The APGA Player Development initiatives are a perfect example of making a difference and best represent the values of WWT, the PGA TOUR and the APGA Tour. We are excited to see how this impacts these individuals and our surrounding communities near-term and long term!”
Select players are wearing a World Wide Technology patch for the remainder of the APGA Tour season. World Wide Technology is also sponsoring a monthly content piece to highlight the stories and accomplishments of the players in the program to help promote their incredible achievements and perseverance while shedding light on the need to grow diversity throughout the sport.
“This partnership with World Wide Technology is exactly the type of program that will not only assist our key players with the costs of playing professional golf, but also provides opportunities to compete in a PGA TOUR event while helping to share their stories to gain additional notoriety,” said APGA Tour CEO Ken Bentley.
Worthington, a PGA of America teaching pro from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, was part of a four-man playoff in the final round of the APGA Tour at TPC Sugarloaf tournament in suburban Atlanta Tuesday. He eventually lost to Toks Pedro, finishing in a tie for third place. Last month, Worthington competed in the PGA Championship at Southern Hills after qualifying for one of 20 slots reserved for PGA of America pros in the prominent golf major. The APGA Tour continues July 11-12 with APGA Tour at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, and most the of players in the program are expected to compete.
Below is the current World Wide Technology APGA Player Development Bonus Pool standings with Lexus Cup points following this week’s event in Atlanta.
| Rank | Player | Points | Rank | Player | Points | |
| 1 | Michael Herrera | 1481 | 9 | Andrew Walker | 458 | |
| 2 | Willie Mack III | 1339 | 10 | Ryan Alford | 420 | |
| 3 | Kamaiu Johnson | 1225 | 11 | Joey Stills | 358 | |
| 4 | Davin White | 621 | 12 | Rovonta Young | 348 | |
| 5 | Aaron Beverly | 618 | 13 | Christian Heavens | 338 | |
| 6 | Marcus Byrd | 606 | 14 | Cameron Riley | 141 | |
| 7 | Wyatt Worthington | 578 | 15 | Mahindra Lutchman | 128 | |
| 8 | Trey Valentine | 480 | 16 | Mulbe Dillard | 103 |
Roscoe Trotman of Charlotte, NC had his 1st Hole-in-One on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Charles T. Myers Golf Course, Charlotte, North Carolina. The accomplishment was made on hole #4, 145 yards, using a 7 iron Calloway club and Calloway ball. His playing partners were Rich Walter and John Dixon.