07/05/1942 – 04/18/2022
Mr. Shedrick Jackson, 79 of Rock Hill, SC passed away peacefully at his residence on April 18, 2022. A funeral service at 2pm was held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Mt. Prospect Baptist Church, RockHill, SC.
Premium quality and performance describe the upgraded 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan and the all-new Taos SUVs. They’re powerful and smooth with defined performance attributes. This year, the compact Tiguan has been refreshed, while the sub-compact Taos is new to the VW family.
Which one is right for you depends on your needs? They both get good gas mileage. The larger Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV with three rows. It is powered by a 2-liter turbo I4 that generates 184 horses. At the same time, the all-new sub-compact Taos uses a 1.5-liter turbo I4 engine that produces 158 horsepower.
The smaller Taos is still roomy for a sub-compact SUV and gets better fuel economy if that is your concern. However, both vehicles average over 30 mpg on the highway, which is reasonable considering today’s high gas prices.
The 2022 Volkswagen Taos, a five-passenger crossover SUV, can be ordered in front- or all-wheel drive. Volkswagen managed to produce superior handling in the Taos with two suspension and transmission systems. The FWD version is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and torsion-beam rear axle. At the same time, the 4Motion AWD option uses an electro-hydraulic center coupling along with a multilink rear axle and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).
VW beefed up the Tiguan for 2022 with a bold, smooth, sharper-looking exterior and upgraded interior. The refreshed Tiguan is one of the best-looking SUVs on the road. However, the third-row seats are suited for children and are only available in the FWD versions.
The 2022 entry-level Tiguan starts at around $25,995, while a measly $23,495 will get you in an entry-level Taos. That’s if you can find a way around high dealer markups.
Tiguan Models/Price: The 2022 Tiguan trim levels include: The S ($26,490 FWD/$27,990 AWD), SE ($30,120 FWD/$31,620 AWD), SE R-Line Black ($32,950 FWD/$34,450 AWD), and the R-Line AWD $37,320 MSRP.
The Volkswagen Tiguan gets a standard eight-inch digital cluster in the S, SE, and SE R-Line and a 10-inch display in the SEL R-Line. Options include the IQ Drive safety package that adds blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. These features are standard in the top-of-line SEL R-Line, with 20-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, parking assist, road sign recognition, and more.
Taos Models/Price: The Taos S ($23,495 FWD/$25,540 AWD), SE ($27,895 FWD/$29,345 AWD), SEL ($32,090 FWD/$33,645 AWD).
The IQ Drive Safety Suite is optional for the Taos S and SE ($995) and standard on the SEL. Many of these safety features (including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring) are essential in today’s traffic. However, all models come with six airbags.
All models have automatic post-collision, which automatically applies the brakes to prevent secondary collisions. In addition, a lane-keeping assist feature is available on the S and SE and standard on the SEL. It works at speeds over 40 mph.
Fuel Economy: The EPA rating for the Tiguan averages 23 city/30 highway mpg, while the Taos averages 28 city/36 highway mpg.
For a complimentary subscription to the latest car and truck reviews, visit www.decisivemedia.net. Randi Payton, Decisive Media Network.
Submitted by John Love
Friday – June 3, 2022
Chester Golf Course – Chester, South Carolina
60 Players
- Ron Crockett, Jr.-James Boulware-Jaron Stevenson-Kirk Jackson 54
- Willie Woodard-Coley Jeter-Tim Harris-Eddie Harris 56
- Chuck Ware-Burley McDaniel, Jr.-John Irby-Charles Joseph 58
- James McMullen-Bobby Dye-Ricky Stradford-Butch Truesdale 58
- Joe Phyall-Mike Gifon-Cliff Price-Travis Williams 59
- Hazel Barnes-Sonny Bailey-Billy Johnson-Kelvin Wright 60
- Willie Beatty-J. Neal-Lester Mullen-Tom McCloud 61
- Marshall Benson-Chuck Crockett-Larry Barber-Dwight Witherspoon 62
- Jewel Love-John Love-James “Slim” Bouler-Darryal Watts 63
- Greg Williams-Earl Moore-Clenzo Price-Willie McCullough 64
- Alan Boyd-Ronald Crockett-Wyatt Blackmon-Donald Mackey 65
- Curtis Wilson-Maki Wilson-James Williams-John Johnson 68
- Chris Lattimore-Chris Jackson-John King-Maurice Worthy 71
- Patrick Roddy-Justin Cooper-Kody Mozingo-TJ Austin 72
- Walter Priester-Jerome Harleston-Rico Sanders-Paul Truesdale 72
Closest to Pin
#3 Kody Mozingo
#8 Burley McDaniel, Jr.
#13 Justin Cooper
#17 Coley Jeter
Longest Putt
#18 Rico Sanders
Location: Tulsa, OK
Writer: Byron M. Perry
Follow on Twitter @BPerry918
The 104 edition of the PGA Championship returned to Tulsa last week. It had been 15 years since all were dazzled by the ability of the best golfers in the world, with Tiger Woods letting the world know the show was all his own.
Golf is quickly becoming a 100 billion dollar industry, there are professional events around the world with purses that have been growing year over year. Participation in the game is at an all-time level either at the practice range, the actual course or even video games. All of these areas changed back in 1997 when Tiger turned professional.
Two years ago in preparation to host another one of these marquee events, Southern Hills Country Club made the decision to undertake an 11 million dollar renovation project to rebuild all eighteen greens with an underground turf management system that heats and cools the grass to ensure the surface area is in championship quality similar to Augusta National Golf Club where the Masters is held. The renovation also removed trees, reconfigured bunkers, lengthened holes all to bring the course back to its original design from its original architectural style. The purse for the PGA Championship was 15 million with the winner taking home 2.7 million. As an African American golfer, the obvious impact of Tiger cannot be overstated. What I hoped to find right here in Tulsa was, “Where has the game moved regarding diversity?”
Let’s first get something clear. When the PGA of America moved a small city into Tulsa in order to host this championship there has never been as much opportunity in the game of golf at every level. The PGA held an event through its PGA Works program titled “Beyond the Green” specifically for Tulsa area high school students to highlight the efforts being made to illuminate to the masses that golf is a diverse sport, with areas available for individuals with multiple talents, backgrounds, and style. The PGA has also been a huge advocate to the First Tee Program of which Tulsa has an excellent chapter headed by Janice Gipson introducing scores of children to the game of golf on an annual basis. Across the country First Tee Programs have accomplished the same mission, yet the two significant questions remain, ‘How do we sustain diversity in golf at the youth level AND how do we get more players of color on the PGA Tour?’
One-on-one coaching, opportunities to develop either in practice or on the course, and the access to tougher venues of golf to test a player’s game are the critical steps that golfers must ascend in order to succeed at the highest level. Harold Varner III didn’t take his first golf lesson until he was 16yrs old, and today Varner is a fixture playing in major championships.
Wyatt Worthington II is a product of the First Tee Program at which he met Tiger Woods. This meeting was the moment that Worthington decided to pursue a career in professional golf. The issue is closing the gap during the crucial Junior stages when players must try and fail, build and re-build their swings, compete, lose, and hone their mental games. Golf is an expensive sport no one disputes that. At each step that I am here to discuss today the financial component must be addressed. Fortunately, the resources that can assist in bringing the necessary funds into communities of color are not out of reach.
The issue is again access to the seats at those boardroom tables surrounded by those of influence in order to make sure the decisions of where to provide funding have input from those who look like those who will be served. The process of building youth golfers in communities of color has been slow because without a full understanding of perspective and situations the outcomes will continue to be small and at a poor pace.
Billy Horschel grew up in Grant, Florida and picked up the game while he was young. Horschel didn’t grow up a country club kid, learning the fundamentals by hitting golf balls over a pond. Stories like these can be told by many professional golfers. Horschel arrived in Tulsa this week to compete in the PGA Championship with 6 wins on the PGA Tour and 2 European Tour wins, also the host of an American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournament along with one of his corporate partners to provide an opportunity to youth to compete.
Horschel goes even further by also hosting an Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) event on a TPC course to provide opportunities for minority golfers to compete in a PGA setting with the goal of preparing them for the highest level of golf. Horschel ‘Gets it’, understanding that for minority youth to grind it out and succeed as he did, they need to see golfers that look like them, see other golfers like them pushing them towards the PGA Tour. This is a CURRENT player on the PGA Tour working day to day on his pro game, using his platform to build access for youth of color, sitting at the table with corporate sponsors and working to grow the game. “The game has been good to me, and I want to be good for golf.” Words by Billy Horschel, that speak directly to increasing diversity in the game of golf.
The PGA of America at many levels recognizes that in order to grow the game golf it has to be taken to communities of color, not in all cases having youth from communities of color come to the traditional hubs of golf. The game can be taught, and players can fall in love with the game to pursue it without getting to the golf course. The amount of technology to simulate courses, evaluate performance and create video of players to review swing elements available today allow coaches to work with players indoors or outside.
The direction of resources into communities of color toward facilities that allow youths to access them when they can, even when there is no daylight, or optimal weather conditions is critical. Too many youth golfers once they reach age of 16 need to work in order to assist their families. Youths in these situations need access to facilities that provide alternative hours so that the golf work can still be completed. It’s the same scenario that youth basketball and football players follow with early morning workouts or lighted bubble facilities instead of the stadium settings.
It is also important to add that the minority community do more to assist youth golfers of color. The avenues bringing youth to the game are succeeding yet a missing component is the lack of role models. The story of Earl Woods training his Tiger is the bar, however, countless PGA professionals tell the story of learning and playing the game for fun to follow that significant figure in their lives. We must allow these young people to join our regular groups and play alongside us, talk the game with us, and experience courses with us.
At the same time for many of us African American golfers who have reached the level of membership at private clubs, we must lobby our clubs to create opportunities for junior golfers preparing for tournaments to have access to the private club courses that in many cases offer a more difficult test of their games. Not only do private courses assist in the level of play, but also the social aspect associated with the game.
Collin Morikawa who at 25 years of age turned professional in 2019 and then won the PGA Championship in 2020 grew up playing the game at Chevy Chase Country Club in California. As one reads Chevy Chase Country Club and envisions the type of surroundings witnessed this week at Southern Hills Country Club, that would be wrong. Chevy Chase is a 9-hole facility with no driving range. Morikawa learned playing that 9-hole golf course alongside a diverse group of adult members who worked on their games hitting the necessary types of shots when the balls were below their feet, to the right and left to avoid hazards, and with varied trajectories due to the winds in the canyon setting Chevy Chase is built into. We also must incorporate our youth golfers of color into our charity golf tournaments. No matter the numbers we need to provide youth golfers of color every chance available to get repetitions in a competitive setting.
The 104th PGA Championship Tulsa hosted provided changing weather conditions, a historic challenging golf course, the return of Tiger Woods, and on Sunday the rise and collapse of a bright young player in Mito Pereira only to crown Justin Thomas as champion after a playoff against Will Zalatoris. Golfers cannot claim there was any area the PGA Championship of 2022 fell short of providing drama or must-see moments. I also left Southern Hills inspired by the game growing in the areas of diversity. The avenues are visible so that if it takes Southern Hills another fifteen years to host a legacy event like the PGA Championship, the champion just may come from the efforts to grow the numbers of golfers of color today.
Jim Beatty, president of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures and expo organizer announces Stephen Hamblin, American Junior Golf Association, as a keynote speaker at the 2nd annual African American Golf Expo and Forum on August 27-31 in Charlotte, NC. Steve will speak and conduct a workshop on junior golf, theAJGA, financial support for parents of juniors, and other AJGA opportunities. Jim encourages everyone to register and make their hotel reservations now. Register at https://aagolfexpo.Com/register-here.
STEPHEN HAMBLIN
In his 38 years as Executive Director of the American Junior Golf Association and a Class A Member of the PGA of America, Stephen Hamblin, has witnessed the development of some of the most talented golfers in the world: Tiger Woods, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, and Mariah Stackhouse, to name a few.
Hamblin’s leadership has been the impetus to important programs such as an industry-leading pace of play system, an unmatched tournament experience, sponsorship to keep costs low and value high for members, the ACE Grant program, and a strict Code of Conduct policy, and a thank-you note writing program. He has also been instrumental in the AJGA’s investment of more than $2 million in DE&I initiatives. He has accomplished all of this while remaining true to the original mission and purpose of the AJGA: fostering the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. In doing so, AJGA alumni receive more than $25 million in college scholarships annually.
Under his direction, Hamblin has grown the AJGA from 13 events, five employees, 1,100 members, and a $200,000 annual operating budget in 1984 to a 2022 AJGA schedule of 130 events, 65 full-time employees, 100 interns, 7,500+ members from all 50 states and more than 40 countries, and an annual operating budget of more than $14 million.
Hamblin takes immense pride in assisting the young men and women on the AJGA staff to move up in the golf industry. Through their skill-set development, AJGA staffers who have landed their dream jobs in golf include Peter Ripa, former Tournament Director, Farmers Insurance Open; Mark Brazil, Tournament Director, Wyndham Championship; Michael Tothe, Tournament Director, Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial; C.A. Roberts, Principal Owner, O.B. Sports; John Kaczkowski, President & CEO, Western Golf Association; Steve Ethun, Senior Director, Masters Tournament, Augusta National; and Ann Cain, Player Promotion Executive, Women’s Golf, Titleist / FootJoy Worldwide. There are many others now working for the PGA TOUR, USGA, LPGA, PGA of America, The First Tee and college coaching.
Stephen has been married to his “dream girl” Carol for 40 years and together they have raised five (sometimes) fantastic children ranging in age from 37 to 21 (four daughters and one savior). He enjoys fly fishing adventures, gardening, being a former soccer dad, playing hearts and being a “grill master.”
Stephen is the son of a retired Air Force Colonel, attended Michigan State University, and earned a B.A. in Landscape Architecture in 1980. He has never used his degree in a professional capacity, but he claims to have the best-looking yard in his neighborhood.
THE AMERICAN JUNIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION
The AJGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.
The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is committed to creating an engaging, safe, and inclusive environment. We welcome people from all backgrounds and believe by embracing diverse perspectives, we are better equipped to accomplish our mission of developing golf’s next generation.
The AJGA internship program seeks to diversify the golf industry. The AJGA recruits quality young men and women from all walks of life who bring their passion to work every day. The ALGA provides training and hands-on experiences that open doors to careers in golf, sports, and the business world.
AJGA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Completed in the summer of 2000, the AJGA’s National Headquarters was built on the Chateau Elan property thanks to a gift from Don Panoz. The Southern-designed building serves as the AJGA home base near the No. 15 tee of the Chateau course in Atlanta,GA
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN GOLF EXPO AND FORUM
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
Under-resourced aspiring college golfers are selected from a pool of applicants each year to come to Congaree Global Golf Initiative (CGGI) and receive access to the highest level of athletic coaching and academic resource tools to enhance opportunities for success when applying to college. This year, Linden, NJ, native Isaiah Marseille has been selected to participate. Launched in 2017, CGGI prepares U.S. and international high school students for the college admissions process and future success. The chance to participate in CGGI is a life-changing experience for the kids selected to attend.
CGGI is thrilled to welcome two dozen talented and deserving students who will come to Congaree from 11 states, Canada and Costa Rica and receive golf instruction from PGA professionals and work with experienced academic and college counselors. For the first time, Congaree will also host a European CGGI, as 12 students from seven countries will head to Archerfield Links in Scotland from July 24-30 to enjoy the full CGGI experience.
Each year, between 30 to 40 under-resourced aspiring college golfers are selected from a pool of applicants. CGGI has produced 138 graduates from 30 countries, including 51 age-eligible students who have graduated high school and gone on to play collegiate golf at schools like College of Charleston, North Carolina A&T, Texas Tech, Texas, Lipscomb, Cincinnati, Xavier, Southern Miss and Florida Atlantic.
Additionally, a number of CGGI graduates have received academic scholarships to attend some of America’s top universities, including the prestigious Chick Evans Scholarship at the University of Michigan.
“There’s No shortcut to being the best,”—Coach Willie Burkes
Coach Willie Burkes, Director of Golf at Atlanta’s HBCU Morehouse College, talks straightforwardly about his life and professional career in this Bridgestone Golf series, People of Golf. Coach Willie discloses his interactions with Tiger Woods and the iconic golfer’s influence on his own golf career along with details of growing up as a young child, and having to help provide for his family. PLAY VIDEO
Parks cards final round three-under-par 69, earns exemptions into the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give and the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational
GRAND RAPIDS (June 2, 2022) – Sadena Parks of Hollywood, Florida shot a final round three-under-par 69 Thursday to take home the women’s division of THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage at Blythefield Country Club.
Parks earned an exemption into the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give (June 16–19) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as an exemption into the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (July 13–16) in Midland, Michigan. She selected Anita Uwadia, an alumna of THE JOHN SHIPPENfrom Fort Worth, Texas, to compete alongside in the Dow GLBI, which is a two-player team event.
“This is the first win for me for 2022. THE JOHN SHIPPEN has been great to me, so to give them a win is something magical,” Parks said. ”It means a lot.”
Parks carded a first-round one-over-par 73 and started the final round four shots back of first-round leader Uwadia. Parks used four final-round birdies, including three on the final nine holes, to propel her to a three-under-par 69 and the tournament title. Her 36-hole total of 142 was two strokes better than Lakarerber Abe and Georgia Oboh, who tied for second. Uwadia was fourth, shooting 69-77—-146.
Parks said she is looking forward to the opportunity to play as a sponsor exemption in the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give and Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.,
“(I’m excited for ) all of it,” she said. “I want to keep it simple – shot by shot, hole by hole.”
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.
Later this summer, THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage will feature the nation’s top Black men competing in a 36-hole stroke play competition at Detroit Golf Club July 22–24. The winner will once again receive an exemption into the PGA TOUR’s Rocket Mortgage Classic (July 28-31).
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].
FRISCO, Texas – The PGA of America announced on June 1 that following an open process, it has agreed to a sale of Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky to a group of Valhalla Golf Club Members.
The new group, called Valhalla Golf Partners, LLC, is led by Jimmy Kirchdorfer. They have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the club, the game of golf, the PGA Member, the Kentucky PGA Section and the broader Louisville community. Kirchdorfer currently serves as the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of ISCO Industries, Inc., is a member of the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame and holds positions on the First Tee of Louisville, Golf Course Builders Association of America Foundation and the Kentucky Golf Foundation.
Kirchdorfer is joined by David Novak, the co-founder and former chairman and CEO of YUM! Brands and current CEO of David Novak Leadership; president and CEO of Bridgeman Foods and former independent director of the PGA of America, Junior Bridgeman; and president and CEO of Musselman Hotels, Chester Musselman.
“Following an open and extensive process, we have found an incredible partner led by Jimmy Kirchdorfer to continue the legacy of Valhalla Golf Club and the commitment to the PGA Member, the game of golf and the Louisville community,” said Jim Richerson, PGA of America President. “While the sale of the property is complete, the PGA of America’s partnership will remain with Valhalla Golf Club, inclusive of a continued commitment to brand standards and staff led by PGA Member and General Manager Keith Reese, providing access and programs for the PGA Member and the Kentucky PGA Section and partnering on championship operations.”
“Valhalla is the crown jewel of Kentucky golf. David, Junior, Ches and I are proud to return the club to local ownership as its ongoing success is important to our community,” said Kirchdorfer. “As long-time members of Valhalla, we are honored to be chosen as stewards of this iconic property and are grateful for everything the PGA has done for our club. We look forward to hosting the 2024 PGA Championship and partnering with the PGA for many years to come.”
Designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1986, Valhalla has established itself as one of golf’s memorable stages. The 106th PGA Championship will be the fourth contested at Valhalla, tying it with Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, for the second-most all-time. Rory McIlroy (2014), Tiger Woods (2000) and Mark Brooks (1996) have hoisted the famed Wanamaker Trophy at Valhalla.
Richerson continued, “Valhalla Golf Club has proven itself to be a wonderful test of championship golf, one that is as fair as it is challenging for the top golfers in the world. We look forward to partnering with the new ownership group on a highly-anticipated 2024 PGA Championship and working with the new owners to continue to have it as one of our championship sites.”
For more information on Valhalla, visit valhallagolfclub.com.
On June 2, 2022, the eighth mayor of the District of Columbia, Mayor Muriel Bowser, honored the late Dr. Charles “Charlie” Sifford, Sr. by proclaiming the date Charlie Sifford Day. The June 2nd date recognizes what would have been Sifford’s 100th birthday. Born on June 2, 1922, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sifford was the first African American to play on the PGA Tour. He passed away on February 3, 2015, at age 92, in Cleveland, Ohio, leaving many notable achievements, family, friends, and fans to cherish his memory.
Several tribute events are being held to honor the late golfer’s contributions to the game including the Inaugural Charlie Sifford, Sr. Cup and the Sifford Centennial.
For over 265 years, Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum has been crafting authentic, premium rums using time-honored traditions that have been passed down from generations and is home to the world’s first female master blender, Joy Spence. Crafted with Jamaican limestone-filtered water and no added flavors, Appleton Estate Signature Blend is a
Bart Bryant, a three-time PGA Tour winner who bested Tiger Woods down the stretch to win two of them, died in a car accident on Tuesday, according to the PGA Tour.
Information was sketchy but the accident occurred in Florida as Bryant and his wife Donna were driving from Atlanta to their home in Winter Garden.
Bryant, who along with his brother Brad were two of 12 brother combinations to win on the Tour, won all three of his titles after the age of 40, laboring on mini-tours for nearly two years and overcoming injuries and multiple trips through the Tour’s national qualifying process.
His first Tour victory was in the 2004 Texas Open at the age of 41, where he shot a third-round 60 at the La Canterra Country Club in San Antonio on his way to winning in his 187th PGA Tour start.
He won twice in 2005, and both were huge: he captured The Memorial (being played this week in Dublin, Ohio) by one shot over Fred Couples and four over Tiger Woods, then won the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake by six over Woods, with a course-record 62 in the first round.
It was the largest margin Woods has ever lost by when finishing second. Woods returned the favor three years later when he made a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole of the Arnold Palmer Invitational to beat Bryant by one shot.
Bryant and his brother were born in Texas but grew up in New Mexico, where they were junior golf and mini-tour legends. Brad Bryant was a two-time All-American at New Mexico State but then struggled, having to go to the Tour’s qualifying tournament six times and battling shoulder and elbow injuries.
He won twice on the PGA Tour Champions, the last in 2018 at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open. Bryant posted five top-25 PGA Tour Champions finishes in 2019 and had one top-20 among four 2020 starts. He has not played a full schedule since.
Bryant is survived by his brother, his wife, daughters Kristen and Michelle and his stepchildren.
“The PGA TOUR is saddened by the tragic passing of Bart Bryant and our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in a statement. “The Bryants have been a part of the PGA TOUR family for over four decades and we are grateful for the impact and legacy he made on our organization and countless communities. Bart will be dearly missed.”