PGA of America and One Hundred Black Men of New York to Host Junior One Hundred Challenge

The PGA of America and One Hundred Black Men of New York (OHBM) have formed a strategic inclusion partnership to introduce opportunities within golf to the Junior One Hundred (JOH) membership by hosting the Junior One Hundred Challenge at Ardsley Country Club, Aug. 7-8 in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

The partnership and Junior One Hundred Challenge opens the door for 70 local, Black college and high school-aged members of the JOH to learn the fundamentals of the game, understand possible career opportunities within and around the $102 billion golf industry and other industries, and showcase how golf can be pivotal to their future careers.

The JOH is a youth leadership and career exposure program open to students ages 12 to 24. The program focuses on career exploration, character development, personal growth and mentorship.

The event includes a PGA Professional-led clinic; a “Leading with You” panel discussion focussed on finding inner strength and purpose through career aspirations; an address from New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks; a Career Services Resume Workshop; and a special opportunity to meet with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh, PGA Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Price and OHBM President Aldrin Enis.

The event will also consist of a Pro-Am styled, 9-hole playing lesson with 25 JOH Members paired with PGA Professionals. Following play, each playing participant will receive a $1,000 scholarship from OHBM to help further their education.

“The PGA of America greatly values our relationship with the One Hundred Black Men of New York, who we see as one of the most impactful, community-based organizations in New York,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “It’s an honor to align with them to introduce this great game, and more importantly, the career opportunities these young adults can take advantage of within the growing golf industry.”The “Leading with You” Panel will feature Troon Golf DE&I Director Kendall Murphy, PGA, Regional Vice President of Enterprise Holdings for Long Island John Mackey, and Niara Consulting Founder Jodi Brockington, as they share their unique career journeys.

“The One Hundred Black Men of New York’s partnership with the PGA of America underscores a unique opportunity to bring golf to inner city children who otherwise might never have exposure to such an important game,” said One Hundred Black Men of New York Interim Executive Director Erik Cliette. “Our Junior One Hundred students may not immediately appreciate the opportunity before them; however, as their corporate experience deepens, and they understand that golf is a significant platform for advancement, I am confident that their appreciation for the game, the exposure, and this opportunity will deepen also.”

This is the second year OHBM has joined forces with the PGA of America; PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America; and PGA WORKS, a strategic initiative designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce, to host the Junior One Hundred Challenge.

Two African-American Women Qualify for 76th U.S. Women’s Open

Cheyenne Woods

The U.S. Women’s Open is the second major of the LPGA season and has the highest purse in women’s golf, at $5.5 million in 2020. The 76th U.S. Women’s Open will be held at The Olympic Club (Lake Course) in San Francisco, Calif., from June 3-6, marking the first time a major women’s competition will be held on the elite layout. After a year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 has geared up to be an incredible season for the LPGA Tour.

The 2021 LPGA Tour schedule will feature 34 official events across North America. Those who have qualified for the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open include two Black women, Amari Avery, and Cheyenne Woods.

Amari Avery, age 17

Avery, who will compete in her first U.S. Women’s Open after sharing medalist honors on May 3 in Los Angeles, was featured in the 2013 Netflix documentary, “The Short Game,” which followed several juniors at the U.S. Kids Championship in Pinehurst, N.C. Avery shares a birthday with her idol, Tiger Woods (Dec. 31), and like Woods, has a Black father and a Thai mother.

In 2019, Avery advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball with partner Alexa Pano, who was also featured in “The Short Game.” Avery advanced to the Round of 32 in last summer’s U.S. Women’s Amateur and reached the Round of 16 of the 2018 U.S. Girls’ Junior. Avery, who captured a Cactus Tour event in Arizona last year, has committed to attend the University of Southern California in 2022.

Cheyenne Woods, age 30

Cheyenne Woods, the 30-year-old niece of the 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, won her U.S. Women’s Open qualifier last Monday at Spring Lake Golf Club in New Jersey in routine fashion – a five-stroke throttling that helped her earn a spot in this year’s national championship.

This marks the seventh consecutive time the U.S. Women’s Open has received more than 1,500 entries, with the USGA accepting 1,595 entries for this year’s championship, the most since 2017. The 2015 championship at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club holds the entry record with 1,873. The USGA accepted entries from golfers in 47 states, 249 entrants from California among them, and a total of 57 countries.

Eleven U.S. Women’s Open champions and 24 of the top 25 players in the world are among those entered in the 76th U.S. Women’s Open Championship, making for a strong and competitive field.

Stephen Curry partners with Howard University to launch first Division 1 golf program

In a historic stride forward to grow the game of golf, six-time NBA All-Star and Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation co-founder, Stephen Curry, announced his commitment to Howard University today, with a pledge to support the establishment of the university’s first NCAA Division 1 golf program for the next six years.

Inspired by Howard senior and golfer, Otis Ferguson IV, whom Curry met during a campus visit earlier this year, Curry was compelled to act when Ferguson shared that his impassioned solo crusade to get a golf team at Howard proved unsuccessful. An avid golfer himself, Curry tapped into what is increasingly becoming his defining trait— the distinctive ability to connect and empathize with anyone, anywhere, and made the unprecedented decision to help bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. Utilizing his unique position, Curry will introduce and increase access to elite golf at a historically black college, furthermore calling on sport and community giants like Under Armour, Callaway, Eat. Learn. Play., among others, for help with equipment, uniforms, and more.

“Golf is a sport that has changed my life in ways that are less tangible, but just as impactful,” said the NBA star. Adding, “It’s a discipline that challenges your mental wherewithal from patience to focus, and is impossible to truly master, so when you hear about these passionate student athletes who have the talent but don’t have a fair shot at the game, it’s tough. I feel really honored to play a small role in the rich history of Howard University, and look forward to building their first men’s and women’s golf teams with them.”

Howard University aims to debut the first men’s and women’s golf teams in the 2020/2021 academic year, with resources strategically allocated for talent scouting and training to have a competitive Division 1 team in place for its inaugural season, joining Howard’s other 19 Division 1 teams. The university previously had a Division 2 golf team and various intercollegiate and intramural club teams.

“Howard University is honored to partner with NBA Champion Stephen Curry to launch what is sure to become one of the best golf programs in the country,” said President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA. “This program will expose the campus to a game with numerous benefits. Golf is unique because it can be played through various ages of life. Grandfathers can play with granddaughters. Expanding the competitive opportunities for student athletes, especially in arenas where they are underrepresented, is consistent with the university’s strategic plan.”

Curry will be joined by Howard University’s President, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, Athletic Director, Kery Davis, CEO of Callaway, Chip Brewer, and Howard student, Otis Ferguson IV, in a historic tee-off today in Washington, D.C.

Richard Brown III, Anthony G. Stepney become first African-Americans to earn PGA Master Professional Designation

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America has announced that Richard Brown III, PGA Director of Instruction at Quail Valley Golf Course in Missouri City, Texas; and Anthony G. Stepney, Executive Director of APEX Development Partners in Orlando, Florida, are the first two African-Americans to earn PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation that can be obtained by a PGA Member.

Brown III, a 14-year PGA Member; and Stepney, a 12-year PGA Member, joined an esteemed group of just 428 PGA Professionals in the history of the PGA of America to have earned PGA Master Professional status. Currently, just one percent of the nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals have achieved the PGA Master Professional designation. Brown III is the first-ever African-American to achieve PGA Master Professional status, with a focus in Teaching & Coaching, while Stepney is the first African-American to achieve PGA Master Professional status in Player Development. 

The PGA Master Professional Program (MPP 2.0) is available to any of the PGA of America’s PGA Professionals who have achieved advanced certification through the PGA Certified Professional Program, which was launched in 2004. The curriculum is comprised of an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA Professional. Upon approval of the project and successful completion of a presentation, a PGA Member will earn the prestigious PGA Master Professional status. To be eligible, the program requires a minimum of eight years of PGA Membership.

“The PGA of America is proud of Richard Brown and Anthony Stepney for accomplishing the highest education achievement a PGA Member can earn in becoming PGA Master Professionals,” said PGA President Suzy Whaley. “They are both leaders in the game and industry, and the example they are setting for their peers and the next generation of PGA Professionals is a tremendous standard of accomplishment.”

Richard Brown III, PGA, a member of the Southern Texas PGA Section, who earned PGA Certified Professional status in 2017, has been recognized as a U.S. Kids Top 50 Junior Instructor. He credits Calvin Peete, Lee Elder, Charlie Sifford, Jim Dent, Ted Rhodes, John Shippen and Bob Johnson for paving the way, allowing him the opportunity of becoming a PGA Professional. Brown III operates the Richard Brown School of Golf, where he offers a full lineup of player development programs for kids and adults.

“This achievement is a highlight of my career, but, it does not define my career,” said Brown III. “Yes, this accomplishment places me in rarified air, but I will continue to stay humble and hungry trying to be the best PGA Professional that I can be, to make the game better, one player at a time.”

Anthony G. Stepney, PGA, a member of the North Florida PGA Section, is the Executive Director of APEX Development Partners, an Orlando, Florida-based consulting firm that supports the broad-based developmental needs of organizations, including several golf companies and facilities throughout the country seeking strategic growth and increased profitability. In 2015, Stepney earned PGA Certified Professional status in Player Development. A year later, he was selected for the inaugural PGA LEAD Class, the Association’s leadership development program that identifies, mentors and progresses PGA Members from diverse backgrounds, who aspire to assume leadership positions in the Association.

“Achieving the prestigious PGA Master Professional designation is a pinnacle career accomplishment,” said Stepney. “I consider it an honor to be among the approximately one percent of the PGA of America’s 29,000 Professionals—and among only seven PGA Members who specialize in Player Development, including PGA President Suzy Whaley.”

Stepney’s Master Professional thesis focused on “Making the Business Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Golf Industry.” Themes from his final project demonstrated proven and pragmatic ways to grow and broaden the golf consumer base including: helping golf be more accessible and welcoming to a broader population; increasing the number of women, minorities and other underrepresented populations in the golf industry; and guiding members of the golf industry to think more broadly and be mindful of the varied dimensions of difference, among others. 

The PGA Master Professional Program (MPP 2.0) was established in 1969, to recognize PGA Members who have made a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations. As part of its Member education curriculum, the PGA MPP 2.0 program was designed to ensure PGA Professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace.

Wyatt Worthington II becomes first African American to win PGA Tournament Series event

Wyatt Worthington II doesn’t just want to make birdies, he wants to make history.

Worthington did both Tuesday, shooting another 2-under 70 to win Event No. 1 of the PGA Tournament Series by two shots at PGA Golf Club.

The 29-year-old Worthington is believed to be the first African American to win a PGA Tournament Series event. Earlier this year, he became the second African American club professional to qualify for the PGA Championship.

“It’s a great moment in my life,” Worthington said. “This is one of the goals I wanted to achieve, and I’m fortunate I got it on the first try (this year).”

Worthington was 3-under through 12 holes on the Wanamaker Course before his only blemish, a bogey on the par-5 13th. He closed with five pars to win by two shots over four players.

Worthington, who teaches in the winter at famed Seminole Golf Club and works at the Golf Depot at Central Park in Gahanna, Ohio, earned $5,000 for the victory.

“I didn’t putt as well as yesterday, but I focused on giving myself as many opportunities as I could,” Worthington said. “It was a grind coming in, but I’m proud of how I played under pressure.”

Nick Beddow of Shirley, N.Y. shot the low round of the tournament, a 5-under 67, to share second place with Zac Oakley (71) of Palm City, Fla., Rod Perry (70) of Port Orange, Fla., and Jeff Sorenson (70) of Blaine, Minn. Beddow had a 5-under 31 on the front nine.

“I dunked a bunker shot on No. 1 (for birdie) and that got me some momentum,” said Beddow, who closed the front nine with eagle-birdie-birdie. “Unfortunately, I three-putted the last hole for a bogey.”

The conditions weren’t as difficult as Monday’s first round, when nobody in the 69-player field broke 70.

The last four months have been somewhat of a blur for Worthington, who gained national attention when he qualified for the PGA Championship at Baltusrol by finishing fifth in the PGA Professional Championship. Tom Woodard in 1991 was the first African American club professional to qualify for the PGA Championship.

“It’s definitely been a whirlwind,” Worthington said. “I didn’t think little ol’ me from Reynoldsburg, Ohio would be playing in a PGA Championship and have that type of impact on the culture of the industry.
“From here on out, my only goal is to affect others with positive energy and try to lead my example.”

The PGA Tournament Series, which consists of six events, is presented by Golf Advisor. Event No. 2 is Thursday and Friday.

SOURCE: PGA.COM

TIGER WOODS PLANS TO WORK ON HIS GAME AND PLAY AGAIN SOON

Tiger woods released the following statement about his immediate future after suffering another injury this past week.

The last two weeks have been very disappointing to me, especially Torrey, because I never want to withdraw. Unfortunately, lately injuries have made that happen too often.

This latest injury is not related to my previous surgery. I am having daily physical therapy and I am feeling better every day.

Right now, I need a lot of work on my game, and to still spend time with the people that are important to me. My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf. Like I've said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I'm ready, I'll be back. Next week I will practice at Medalist and at home getting ready for the rest of the year. I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game. I'd like to play The Honda Classic -- it's a tournament in my hometown and it's important to me -- but I won't be there unless my game is tournament-ready. That's not fair to anyone. I do, however, expect to be playing again very soon. I want to thank the fans in Phoenix and San Diego. They were amazing. I greatly appreciate everyone's support.

Tiger Woods