2022 Wells Fargo Championship Provides HBCU Golfers PGA Tour, Pro-Am Opportunities
HBCU golfers and area minority kids participated in a four-day event at The Wells Fargo Championship at TPC Potomac from May 2-8. The financial institution sponsored the program to expose HBCU students and golfers to a PGA Tour event through learning and mentoring opportunities.
FIRST TEE CLINIC
First, the First Tee Clinic on May 3 at the Langston Golf Course in Washington, D.C., gave area kids the chance to learn the game of golf from PGA Tour players.
HBCU STUDENT ESSAYS, PRO-AM OPPORTUNITY
Next, an HBCU student essay contest would allow four winners to play in a pro-am round with the PGA tour professional of their choice. The program mentors Shanan Hill who serves as Wells Fargo Regional Banking Senior Manager, and Gigi Dixon, Wells Fargo's Head of External Relations, helped select the participants. Each composed an essay on their "future, entrepreneurship, golf aspirations, and life."
Jakari Harris (Hampton University, Class of 2022), Elijah Royal (Fisk University, Class of 2021), Lennard Long (Morehouse College, Class of 2019), and Joia Robertson (Fisk University, Class of 2025) won. They played the Pro-Am round with their selected PGA TOUR player on Wednesday, May 4.
WELLS FARGO EXEMPTIONS FOR ODOM JR. AND BYRD
As part of the tournament's diversity, equity, and inclusion component, two HBCU golfers, Gregory Odom Jr. (Howard University) and Marcus Byrd (Tennessee State University), played in the PGA TOUR through a sponsor's exemption.
Byrd captured his first tournament title at TPC Louisiana in June 2021 after his sixth start on the AGPA Tour. The Tiger completed the 36-hole event with an 11-under 133 stroke total. Marcus learned golf from his father at Langston Golf Course and was a First Tee D.C. Wells Fargo member. The young golfer will donate to the program via an NLT.
HBCU Sports Nation's Mark Gray spoke with Howard University's Gregory Odom, Jr. for HBCU Legends. The HBCU golfer will make his PGA Tour debut at the Wells Fargo Championship at TPC Potomac. Under a sponsor's exemption, Odom Jr. became the Bison's first golfer to play in a PGA Tour event.
Odom Jr. appreciates Steph Curry's contribution and Howard's Golf Coach Sam Puryear's recruitment and mentorship.
"When you have the support from Stephen Curry, you make this team along with the caliber of PWI golf teams. Without his support, I don't believe none of this would happen. Combine the experience and mentorship of Sam Puryear, who coached at Stanford and Michigan State, and you have an elite HBCU golf team," Odom Jr. said.
Pam Batalis, Wells Fargo SVP of Sponsorships & Brand Engagement, noted, "We have a long history of supporting HBCUs, and this year we are using the Wells Fargo Championship to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences for young, diverse golfers. Wells Fargo. "With our sponsor exemption, we're proud to help Howard University student Gregory Odom, Jr., make his PGA TOUR debut."
Odom Jr. and Howard won the Collegiate Works Championship early last week in Philadelphia before traveling to Maryland for the PGA TOUR’s Wells Fargo Championship. Odom Jr.’s Mom and family were in attendance for his first tour outing.
Coach Puryear remarked, "I realize for HBCU programs that though corporations see wonderfully talented young people who can serve their institutions well through the game of golf, we want to be that leader and strive to do the right thing."
HBCU GOLF'S FUTURE
HBCU golf programs have received increased financial support and success in the 2021-22 season. The SWAC, MEAC, CIAA, and SIAC held their respective conference championships over the past month. The hope is to enhance the exposure and resources for more young minorities and HBCU student-athletes to showcase their golfing talent on the APGA, PGA, and WPGA Tours.
Wells Fargo Championship and Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity
Wells Fargo is proud to host the Wells Fargo Championship at TPC Potomac @ Avenal Farm, an event we have sponsored since 2003, generating significant local impact and delights golf fans nationwide.
Wells Fargo wants everyone to play their best – from the pros and their teams and everyone here at the Championship. At Wells Fargo, we do the small things day-to-day for our customers, our employees, and the communities we serve to help them play their best.
Wells Fargo is strongly focused on helping small businesses thrive – from the local vendors at the Championship to the greater D.C. community and nationwide.
Since the pandemic, Wells Fargo has helped thousands of small businesses get the resources they need to thrive. We have donated roughly $420 million in recovery efforts through our Open for Business Fund, which provides grants to nonprofits serving small businesses hardest hit, such as racially and ethnically diverse small businesses.
We're proud to host a Small Business Market at the Championship featuring businesses in golf-adjacent industries, from coffee to sunscreen to flowers, just in time for Mother's Day.
- In the lead up to this year’s Wells Fargo Championship, Wells Fargo is shining a spotlight on local small businesses through a series of events on the grounds of the historic TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm on Thursday, May 5, including:
- Wells Fargo Small Business Market: In conjunction with National Small Business Week, Wells Fargo’s Small Business Market showcases and creates retail opportunities for six resilient small businesses at the event. The Market opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m.
- Among the six businesses at the Market will be D.C.’s Le Printemps, a women-owned, upscale, luxury flower boutique; and National Links Trust, which is dedicated to protecting and promoting accessible, affordable and engaging municipal golf courses to positively impact local communities.
- Veteran Vehicle Donation: Wells Fargo and the Military Warriors Support Foundation will present a vehicle donation to retired U.S. Army First Class David M. Lang. Lang is also a small business owner—his company, Unicorn Tactics, provides lifesaving trauma and medical intervention training. The donation will take place at 10:00 a.m.
- Where We Live Ceremony: Wells Fargo and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition will hold a presentation to honor the Where We Live Program, a comprehensive community reinvestment initiative in Washington, D.C. The presentation will take place at 11:00 a.m.
During Championship Week, we'll donate a vehicle to a veteran who is also a small business owner in coordination with AutoNation and Military Warriors Support Foundation.
Wells Fargo is deeply committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion – at the Championship, this shines through, particularly with unique opportunities to support HBCU students and alums.
Through our relationship with youth golf organization the First Tee, the Future Entrepreneurs program selected four HBCU students and alums to have the first-round draft pick at the Pro-Am, creating the opportunity to play golf with the PGA TOUR player of their choice.
Langston Golf Course is named for John Mercer Langston, an African American who was the first dean of the Howard University School of Law, the first president of Virginia State University, and the first African American elected to the United States Congress from Virginia. PGA TOUR player Chesson Hadley will lead the clinic.
With our sponsor's exemption, we're proud to create opportunities for Howard student Gregory Odom, Jr., who made his PGA TOUR debut at the Championship.
Over the last ten years, Wells Fargo has provided more than $30 million in financial support to HBCUs in local markets and through the United Negro College Fund and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Additionally, the company has given direct sponsorships and commitments to individual HBCU academic and athletic programs.