Former Alabama A&M Star Gets 1st Win on Diversity-Focused Tour
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida – Mar. 23, 2021 – Rovonta Young of Huntsville, Alabama, shot a sizzling 31 on the back nine enroute to a final round 66 to capture the APGA Tour at World Golf Village championship Tuesday on the famed King & Bear golf course.
The 26 year-old former MVP of the Alabama A&M University Men’s Golf Team passed 14 players to finish the 36 holes at four under par (74-66-140) and win his first APGA Tour title in his fourth year on the circuit. Davin White of Locust Grove, Georgia, and Landon Lyons of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, tied for second at three-under. First round co-leader Willie Mack ended up in 10th place at one-over.
The top two amateurs were Florida A&M teammates Mulbe Dillard and Mahindra Lutchman, the #1- and #3-ranked players, respectively, in the APGA Collegiate Ranking of the best Black golfers in America. Dillard shot the third best round of the day, a three-under 69, to finish at even par and tied for seventh. First round co-leader Lutchman ended up as low amateur at one-under.
“The conditions today were perfect and I knew I could take advantage,” offered Young, who finished sixth in both the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open Invitational and the APGA Tour Black History Month Classic leading into World Golf Village. “I’ve been working on the mental part of my game with a coach and I’ve gained confidence. The APGA Tour is providing a great opportunity for HBCU players like me by providing greater access. The caliber of golf courses and players is greatly improved since I started in 2018.”
A native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Young caught fire on the par-5 13th hole with a 15-yard eagle chip from just off the green. He then took a one-shot lead over White into the final hole and sank a 12-footer for birdie to secure the victory. White birdied four of the last six holes but had an unfortunate double bogey on 17 to open the door. Young took home the first place prize money of $7,500.
The APGA Tour now heads to Las Vegas for the APGA Tour Las Vegas April 11-13, the first of two consecutive April tournaments at PGA TOUR-owned TPC courses. APGA Tour Scottsdale follows April 18-20 as the tour approaches the midpoint of a landmark season of 13 events with $350,000 in prize money. Now in its 12th year, the APGA Tour is working to bring greater diversity to the sport of golf.
The tournament was conducted under social distancing and health/safety guidelines in conjunction with regional authorities.
