Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
Birmingham to host 2023 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship at two local golf courses
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On Tuesday, May 17th, The Professional Golf Association (PGA) of America announced that Shoal Creek Club and Bent Brook Golf Course—both right outside of Birmingham—will host the 2023 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC). Keep reading to learn more.
The PWCC
The Championship is a 54-hole, stroke-play event contested across five divisions from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).
The PWCC was created in 1986 by the National Negro Golf Association when HBCUs did not have the same postseason opportunities as other institutions. Today, the tournament is considered the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, still retaining its founding vision to open doors for student-athletes from HBCUs and MSIs as well as other athletes from diverse backgrounds.
“The PWCC is an influential Championship that goes beyond the golf course, so it is important to the PGA of America that we have a host site that understands its importance in collegiate golf and its long-term effects on these student-athletes,” PGA CEO Seth Waugh said. “Shoal Creek and Bent Brook fit the bill, and we are excited to head to Alabama where the athletes, the Championship and venues can be showcased.”
Seth Waugh, CEO, PGA of America
Beyond the green
In conjunction with the PWCC, PGA WORKS will host Beyond the Green, a career-exploration event designed to educate and inspire talent from historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the golf industry and to understand the important role golf can play in their careers overall. The event will be held May 7, 2023.
PGA WORKS Beyond the Green strives to make a sustainable impact by partnering with local community organizations to provide students access to industry leaders, executives and influencers to help inspire and engage them into the workforce.
Coming to Alabama
This opportunity is an honor for the state of Alabama, the state with the most HBCUs in the country. The Championship is also a point of pride for the city of Birmingham and its mayor, who graduated from Morehouse College, an HBCU in Atlanta.
“We’re proud to host the 2023 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship here in our city, and we’re even more proud that HBCU student-athletes will have an opportunity to compete at one of the most beautiful golf courses in our state. As an HBCU graduate myself, I’m excited that the PGA and Shoal Creek are creating more inclusive spaces for minority golfers while providing scholarships to student-athletes. This is a great step in the right direction.”
Randall Woodfin, Mayor, City of Birmingham
This is exciting news for not only Birmingham, but the state of Alabama. We can’t wait to see the amazing individuals compete in this historical championship!
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