By BlackPressUSA
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The historic Union League of Philadelphia will host the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC), May 2-4, donating two of its courses for the event – Union League Liberty Hill and The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale.
The PWCC, known as the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, features Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) from all over the country. There will be Men’s Division I and Division II team divisions, a Women’s Team division, as well as individuals representing their schools and playing for Men’s and Women’s titles.
The PWCC was founded in 1986 by the National Negro Golf Association, when HBCUs did not have the same postseason championship opportunities that existed for other institutions. Today, the Championship retains its founding vision to open doors for student-athletes from HBCUs and other athletes from diverse backgrounds.
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 business of golf and beyond. The event will be held May 1 at the Comcast Technology Center.
Beyond the Green will partner with Philadelphia community organizations to provide students access to industry leaders, executives and influencers to help inspire and welcome them into our industry workforce.
“This is a fitting collaboration between PGA WORKS, the Union League of Philadelphia and Philadelphia-based Comcast,” PGA of America President Jim Richerson said. “We are excited to bring this Championship to Philadelphia, where the Union League will donate two beautiful, championship-level golf courses. With the help of these partners and our dedicated PGA REACH and PGA WORKS staff, this will be an unforgettable event for our student-athletes and everyone involved.”
The Union League of Philadelphia has more than 4,000 members – men and women of all races, ethnicities and religions are welcome to join – who represent the region’s leaders in business, education, technology, healthcare, law, government, religion, art and culture. It was founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln.
The Union League is also leading fundraising efforts to benefit PGA REACH.
“For more than a century, the Union League of Philadelphia has prided itself on being a welcoming and inclusive organization. That includes supporting others’ efforts, such as those of PGA REACH and PGA WORKS,” Union League CEO Jeff McFadden said. “We’re proud to support this Championship, the schools and student-athletes competing in it, and the push to make the game and golf industry more welcoming and inclusive spaces.”
This is the second of a multiyear collaboration between PGA REACH and Comcast NBCUniversal to promote diversity and foster inclusion within golf through PGA WORKS. With financial and programmatic support from Comcast NBCUniversal, PGA WORKS will enhance key initiatives like the PWCC and Beyond the Green to expand access and create opportunities for diverse student-athletes across the country.
Comcast will also include enhanced coverage and storytelling leading up to and during the PWCC on GOLF Channel, and provide specific support for Beyond the Green, including the host venue. Additional programming details on GOLF Channel will be announced at a later date.
“Comcast NBCUniversal is proud of our continued partnership and we’re excited to bring this year’s event to Philadelphia, a culturally rich destination,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast NBCUniversal. “Using our resources and platforms to promote the PWCC and expand access to career opportunities in the golf industry and beyond for student-athletes from underrepresented backgrounds will not only have a lasting impact on the game, but also on the lives of the young people enrolled in PGA REACH programs.”
The Philadelphia PGA Section was instrumental in connecting PGA WORKS and the Union League as the two organizations have a long-standing relationship. In part because of the Section’s tireless work in helping get the PWCC to Philadelphia, it will have its own PGA WORKS Fellow in 2022.
“We are very excited that the Philadelphia PGA Section and Union League of Philadelphia will play host to the PWCC, an important event to promote diversity and inclusion for both the golf industry and PGA REACH Philadelphia,” Philadelphia PGA Section Executive Director Geoffrey Surrette said. “As Diversity is one of our foundation’s three core pillars, this Championship will have a substantial impact on our reach and programming.”
About PGA WORKS
PGA WORKS is a strategic initiative designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce. Funded as one of the pillars of PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, PGA WORKS leverages fellowships, scholarships, career exploration events, and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship to inspire and engage talent from all backgrounds to pursue key employment positions across the golf industry. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org.
About PGA REACH
PGA Foundation, Inc. d/b/a PGA REACH is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of PGA REACH is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org and follow @PGAREACH on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit http://www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
About Union League of Philadelphia
The Union League of Philadelphia, ranked the #1 City Club in the Country since 2012, is a shining jewel of history in a city defined by such treasure. Founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, The Union League of Philadelphia laid the philosophical foundation of other Union Leagues across a nation torn by civil war. The League has hosted U.S. presidents, heads of state, industrialists, entertainers and dignitaries from around the globe and has proudly supported the American military in each conflict since the Civil War. The Union League continues to be driven by its founding motto, Amor Patriae Ducit or Love of Country Leads. Today, the Union League is home to over 4,000 men and women who contribute to League Life and keep alive the League’s traditions.
