United Airlines, PGA Tour collaborate to assist HBCU golf programs with travel expenses
One of the biggest expenses in golf, from the junior ranks to the PGA Tour, is travel.
The PGA Tour and United Airlines are joining forces to help golf programs at more than 50 Historically Black Colleges and Universities with travel grants to help teams get to tournaments across the country.
United will award the teams more than $500,000 in grants, divided equally among 51 programs. Each team will receive $10,000 in travel credits, which will help an estimated 250 student-athletes and their coaches fly to tournament sites that might have been previously out of reach.
“Removing barriers for HBCU students to have the same opportunities given to other collegiate athletes will open doors for countless young Black golfers to achieve their dreams and for HBCU golf programs to develop to their full potential,” said United President Brett Hart in a statement.
Winston-Salem University golf coach Charles Penny II, whose program was brought back for the first time in 10 years last year, said the team was able to play in only one fall tournament because it didn’t have enough money in its budget for more travel. He said with the United credits, the team will be able to play as many as four tournaments next fall.
“The United Airlines grant will impact our program’s ability to travel tremendously,” Penny said in a statement.
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The Florida A&M men’s team and Bethune-Cookman women’s team are among the programs that will receive the travel credits. When the Edward Waters women’s team begins play in 2023, they will be able to apply.
United is the official airline of the PGA tour and was the first sponsor for the Tour’s HBCU Grant Program.
“We have made a pledge to help diversify the landscape of competitive golf and this collaboration between United Airlines and these colleges and universities will be a significant step towards leveling the playing field and enhancing the student-athlete experience along the way,” Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement.
