Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (May 6, 2022) — The PGA of America was in the Delaware Valley to stage the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC), considered the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, on April 30 – May 4. The series of events that were included in PWCC week directly and indirectly benefited PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Philadelphia PGA Section‘s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, and local golfers, via a significant donation from the PGA, educational programming, and increased media exposure.
Formerly known as the PGA National Minority Collegiate Championship, the 54-hole tournament was played on courses donated by the Union League of Philadelphia – Union League Liberty Hill and the Union League Golf Club of Torresdale. In its 35th year, the annual championship is open to all minority-serving institutions with a focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The Philadelphia PGA Section and PGA REACH Philadelphia was engaged with PGA of America staff all week to host the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship Youth Day Presented by CastleOak Securities, and support the PGA WORKS Beyond the Green at the Comcast Technology Center, as well as the championship itself.
At the PWCC Youth Day, nearly 100 youth golfers, primarily of diverse backgrounds from local organizations such as the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia, Sigma Pi Phi, the Police Athletic Academy, Edu Sports Academy, and Delta Epsilon, visited Union League Liberty Hill to receive free golf instruction from PGA Members from the Philadelphia PGA Section and around the country. The kids were treated to appearances by the ever-popular the Philadelphia Phillies’ mascot Phillie Phanatic, the Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot Gritty, PGA Members Joanna Coe, Merion G.C.; and Gavin Parker, Salisbury C.C. They were treated to a performance by Miles College’s Purple Marching Machine brass band, and music from a local DJ. To view photos from Youth Day, click here; click here to watch a brief video recap.
Following the PWCC Partner Invitational at Aronimink Golf Club on May 2, PGA of America Secretary Don Rea presented the PGA REACH Philadelphia team with a donation of $200,000 to be used for the foundation’s Youth, Military, and Diversity programs, including PGA Jr. League, Golf in Schools, PGA HOPE Philadelphia (Helping Our Veterans Everywhere), and the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships.
“We are incredibly thankful to the PGA of America, the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, the Union League of Philadelphia, and all their partners for boosting our foundation via donations and media support,” said PGA REACH Philadelphia Director Courtney Curcio. “The 2022 PWCC will certainly have a lasting impact on our programs, reach, and operations, particularly with our PGA WORKS Fellowship position.”
The PGA WORKS Fellowship provides the opportunity for a one-year, paid immersion in a PGA Section’s foundation operations. This entry-level employment experience offers a taste of what a career in the golf industry can provide. The foundation’s first-ever fellow, Erin Martin, was hired in March, and was intimately involved with the PWCC week festivities. Martin will continue to assist the foundation and Section staff with programming, events, education, tournaments, communications, fundraising, and partnerships through March 2023.
“Hosting the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship has allowed our Section to proudly showcase our PGA Professionals and promote our foundation’s mission, vision, and accomplishments,” said Philadelphia PGA Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “The generosity of the PGA, PGA REACH, the Union League of Philadelphia, and the PWCC partners will help achieve our foundation’s mission to positively impact lives through the game of golf.”
A complete PWCC recap focusing on the championship’s local impact is scheduled to appear on NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Inside Golf television program in the coming weeks.
To view final results from the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, click here.
About the Philadelphia PGA Section
The Philadelphia PGA Section, covering eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, is one of 41 geographical managing entities of the PGA of America. This Section manages nearly 900 PGA Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
About PGA REACH Philadelphia
PGA REACH Philadelphia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 as the charitable arm of the Philadelphia PGA Section, one of the 41 Sections within the PGA of America. PGA REACH Philadelphia is committed to serving our communities and growing the game of golf through our three pillars: Youth, Military, and Diversity. Visit PGAREACHPhiladelphia.com to learn more. To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, please click here.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
