Joia Robertson, Fisk University, Class of 2025, from Hermitage, Tennessee
Elijah Royal, Fisk University, Class of 2021, from Merrillville, Indiana
Lennard Long, Morehouse College, Class of 2019, from Washington, D.C.
Rory McIlroy played in the Wells Fargo Championship Pro-Am alongside four First Tee alumni and students hailing from HBCUs as part of Wells Fargo’s inaugural First Tee Future Entrepreneurs program. McIlroy, a former world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking, is the defending champion of the Wells Fargo Championship and the HBCU players sang him happy birthday before they all teed off together.
“It was a wonderful Pro-Am. It’s great, there are a lot of Wednesdays in Pro-Am’s that aren’t as fun as something like today. To be able to spend time with these guys and see what great golfers they are but also the great people that they are as well. I was sent all their CVs and bios last night and just the list of things they’ve done and accomplished at a young age – it was really, really impressive. It was really nice to spend some time with them this morning,” said McIlroy, a four Major Championship winner with 20 wins on the PGA Tour.
Pam Batalis, Wells Fargo SVP of Sponsorships & Brand Engagement added “Through our long-standing relationship with First Tee, we are proud to create new opportunities for young, diverse golfers throughout The Wells Fargo Championship. From the youth golf clinic at the historic Langston Golf Course, to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for four HBCU students and alumni to play in the Pro-Am with Rory McIlroy, Wells Fargo is creating access to unique experiences in golf as part of its history of support of HBCUs.”
“Yeah I would just reiterate that it was unreal. You know you see these pro’s on TV and then you get a chance to see them in-person, let alone play with them. It was an amazing experience for sure,” said Hampton University, Class of 2022, Jakari Harris who is from Atlanta.
