November 4th 2023.
Bridgestone Americas and the PGA Tour recently joined forces to host the inaugural Bridgestone HBCU Invitational. This groundbreaking golf tournament featured teams and players from 15 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It was held at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Ga., and included 10 men’s teams and 5 women’s teams for two days of competition.
The Bridgestone HBCU Invitational is part of Bridgestone’s Collegiate Development Program and the PGA TOUR’s Pathway to Progression program. These programs are aimed at increasing diversity in golf by developing talent from diverse and historically underrepresented groups. After two days of intense competition, Arkansas Pine Bluff took home the men’s tournament victory with a score of 563, and the women’s victory was awarded to the Alabama State team with a total score of 654.
As a reward for their wins, both teams earned a two-day development camp at the prestigious TPC Sawgrass golf course. The Arkansas Pine Bluff team also earned an invite to the Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational, which will take place March 24-26, 2024, at the Silverado Country Club in Napa, Calif.
Caitlyn Ranson, head of partnership marketing for Bridgestone Americas, said that the brand is committed to creating opportunities to make golf a more diverse game. “Bridgestone is committed to utilizing our platform and resources to make the game of golf more accessible for student-athletes of diverse backgrounds,” said Ranson. “The Bridgestone HBCU Invitational was a pivotal first step in developing a stronger and more inclusive golf community. We are excited about the future of our new program with the PGA TOUR and what we can achieve together to support the whole athlete on and off the course.”
In addition to the Bridgestone HBCU Invitational, the brand hosted a welcome dinner for all teams competing in the tournament. At the dinner, Eastside Golf founders Earl Cooper and Olajuwon Ajanaku shared their mission to raise awareness of golf and promote diversity in the game. Bridgestone and Eastside Golf will partner in the coming months to reach underserved communities and diversify the game of golf through the Bridgestone Collegiate Development Program.
Kenyatta Ramsey, PGA TOUR Vice President, Player Development, said: “The PGA TOUR appreciates the support of Bridgestone in helping put together this incredible week of competition, and we congratulate the Arkansas Pine-Bluff men’s team, Alabama State women’s team, and Gonzalo Moreno of Alabama State and Trinity Ahing of North Carolina Central on their individual victories. The Bridgestone HBCU Invitational was a great starting point as we look to inspire the next generation of golfers from diverse backgrounds, and we are excited to see how the event grows and develops in the years ahead.”
The Bridgestone HBCU Invitational is a testament to Bridgestone’s commitment to making golf more accessible for student-athletes of diverse backgrounds. We are excited to witness the future of this program and the progress it will make toward diversifying the golf community.
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