The 2026 PGA Professional Championship, set for April 26–29 at the renowned Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, represents more than a premier competition for club professionals. It also serves as a powerful reminder of golf’s evolving landscape and the growing influence of African Americans in the sport.
As 312 PGA of America Golf Professionals from all 41 PGA Sections gather along Oregon’s breathtaking coastline, they will compete not only for a national title but also for one of 20 coveted spots on the Corebridge Financial Team, earning the opportunity to play in the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.
Defending Champion Tyler Collet (Vero Beach, Fla.), one of 14 past champions in the field, will be competing in his seventh PGA Professional Championship. The 30-year-old recorded an historic victory in 2025, shooting 15-under-par 272 to win by 10 shots at PGA Golf Club. Collet, a PGA Assistant Golf Professional at John’s Island Club, set the Championship record for largest margin of victory and became the second South Florida PGA Member to win the Walter Hagen Cup.
“Last year was a great year,” said Collet. “I felt like I played great, however, I still felt like I had some in the tank. I still felt like I left a few out there, which is kind of hard to believe, but I know my game and that’s just kind of what I felt.”
Like many in the field, Collet is thrilled with the opportunity to compete for the first time at Bandon.
Since its founding in 1968, the PGA Professional Championship has celebrated the best club professionals in America—those who teach, mentor, and grow the game in communities nationwide. For African American golf professionals, this championship carries special significance. It represents access, achievement, and the continued breaking of barriers in a sport that historically excluded people of color.
For decades, African Americans were denied entry into many golf clubs and professional organizations. The PGA of America’s former “Caucasian-only clause,” which remained in place until 1961, prevented Black professionals from becoming members. Its removal marked a critical turning point, opening doors for generations of African American golf professionals.
Notable Black Players in PGA Championship History
- Lee Elder – A four-time PGA Tour winner and trailblazer who later became the first Black golfer to compete in the Masters.
- Jim Thorpe – A longtime PGA Tour and Champions Tour competitor.
- Calvin Peete – One of the most successful Black golfers before Tiger Woods, with 12 PGA Tour victories. His best PGA Championship finish was a tie for third in 1982.
- Tiger Woods – The most accomplished Black golfer in history, with four PGA Championship victories (1999, 2000, 2006, and 2007).
- Harold Varner III – Competed in multiple PGA Championships during his PGA Tour career.
- Cameron Champ – A multiple-time PGA Tour winner who has represented a new generation of Black golfers in major championships.
- Joseph Bramlett – One of the few Black players on the PGA Tour in recent years.
- Wyatt Worthington II – A pioneering PGA professional who qualified for the PGA Championship in 2016, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
- Tom Woodard – The first African American club professional to qualify for the PGA Championship, doing so in 1991.
Honoring the Trailblazers
The path to today’s opportunities was paved by pioneers such as Charlie Sifford, who became the first African American to earn a PGA Tour card in 1961. Sifford’s perseverance challenged longstanding racial barriers and laid the foundation for future generations.
Other trailblazers, including Lee Elder—the first African American to compete in the Masters in 1975—and Calvin Peete, one of the most successful Black golfers in PGA Tour history, further expanded the sport’s reach and visibility.
Their courage helped create opportunities not only for touring professionals but also for Black club professionals, instructors, and executives throughout the golf industry.
The Modern Impact
Today, African American PGA professionals continue to make meaningful contributions as teachers, mentors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. They are introducing new players to the game, developing junior golfers, and creating more inclusive pathways into golf careers.
Events like the PGA Professional Championship showcase the depth of talent among these professionals while underscoring the importance of representation. Every African American competitor in the field stands as part of a larger legacy—one rooted in perseverance, excellence, and service.
Bandon Dunes and a New Chapter
Hosting the championship at Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes for the first time adds another historic dimension. Widely regarded as one of America’s premier golf destinations, Bandon Dunes symbolizes the growth and accessibility of the game. Its selection reflects the championship’s continued evolution and prestige.
For African American golf professionals, competing on such a celebrated stage is both an achievement and an inspiration to the next generation.
More Than a Tournament
The PGA Professional Championship is ultimately about more than leaderboard positions and qualifying spots. It is a celebration of those who dedicate their lives to golf—teaching it, growing it, and preserving its traditions.
For the African American golf community, it also represents progress. It is evidence of how far the sport has come and a reminder of the work still to be done to ensure golf remains welcoming and accessible to all.
As the championship begins at Bandon Dunes, it carries with it not only the promise of competition but also the enduring legacy of those who fought for the right to play, teach, and lead in the game they loved.
