The GolfPass Special Production Will Showcase Highlights from Golf’s Most Impactful Event of the Year for Juniors, Collegiate Players, and Professionals
ORLANDO, Fla. – NBC Sports Next’s GolfPass is taking a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most impactful golf tournaments each year for minority golfers. The 2024 Jim Thorpe Invitational Highlight Show is streaming today exclusively on the GolfPass website, app and on connected devices.
Named after professional golfer Jim Thorpe, a champion on the PGA TOUR and one of the trailblazers among black touring professionals in the U.S., the three-day Jim Thorpe Invitational presented by Coca-Cola Beverages Floridatournament brings together more than 160 elite junior golfers, collegiate players, and touring professionals to compete in multiple divisions.
GolfPass coverage of the Jim Thorpe Invitational will feature a variety of video segments highlighting the competition in each division, award ceremonies, and interviews with winners. Additional interviews include tournament host Jim Thorpe, as well as golf great Jim Dent, an African American golf great who preceded Thorpe on the PGA TOUR when he joined in 1966. The highlight show also features a tournament panel discussion featuring Thorpe; Dent; Kamille Ramos, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, United States Golf Association; and J. Katrinda McQueen, Vice President of Communications, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, who discuss the importance of access to golf for minorities, which can create both competitive playing opportunities and careers on or off the fairways.
“Offering programming like the Jim Thorpe Invitational Highlight Show is a key pillar of NBC Sports Next’s Better Together community impact initiative,” said Ron Newsome, Director, Diversity and Community Impact, NBC Sports. “By showcasing these incredible elite golfers and their achievements, we can help generate awareness and create more access to the game for diverse communities.
“Our continued partnership with NBC Sports Next and the exposure for the tournament on GolfPass has been truly impactful,” said Tarek DeLavallade, Executive Director of United Golfers Association and Director of the Jim Thorpe Invitational. “Our hope is that the larger golf community will watch the special and be inspired to share our mission to provide more access to golf and the necessary resources to improve player development that will take them to the next level.”
NBC Sports Next also has partnered with seven athletes who participated in the Jim Thorpe Invitational through NBC Sports Athlete Direct, NBC’s NIL platform. These athletes utilized their social media accounts to help spread awareness for GolfPass’ student membership, which offers a more affordable option to play more and better golf. For students currently enrolled in thousands of colleges and universities across North America, as well as college-bound high school students over the age of 16, GolfPass offers a 40 percent student discount on a GolfPass+ membership. An annual GolfPass+ student membership is priced at $59 and provides savings on tee times and golf gear, and access to thousands of hours of exclusive instructional and entertainment programming, which can be streamed on demand 24/7. An annual GolfPass video-only membership for students is $29.
GOLFPASS HELPS GOLFERS PLAY MORE AND BETTER GOLF
GolfPass offers a vast instructional library featuring more than 4,500 video titles, including Ask Rory, The Golf Fix, with host Devan Bonebrake; Lessons with a Champion Golfer; and Build a Better Game – all hosted by top instructors like Martin Hall, Chris Como and Michael Bannon, as well as golf fitness expert Don Saladino. GolPass also offers a selection of original video content available exclusively as part of a GolfPass membership, including shows like The Conor Moore Show, On Tour/On Course, My Roots, My Daily Routine, and more. Developed in partnership between global golf superstar Rory McIlroy and NBC Sports Next – the innovation and technology division of NBC Sports – GolfPass is designed for today’s golfer and is the only digital golf membership that delivers exclusive content and comprehensive tee-time benefits designed to help every type of golfer – from beginner to expert – play more and better golf. A GolfPass membership is available in North America at GolfPass.com, in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland at GolfPass.co.uk, and in Australia at www.GolfPass.com.au. The GolfPass membership also is available via connected TV, iOS and Android apps.
About NBC Sports Next
NBC Sports Next is a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Known for its sports technology product innovation, NBC Sports Next equips more than 30 million players, coaches, athletes, sports administrators and fans in 40 countries with more than 25 sports solution products, including GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace and provider of golf course operations technology and services; GolfPass, ultimate golf membership that connects golfers to exclusive content, tee time credits, coaching, tips and other benefits; and SportsEngine, the industry leader in youth sports club, league and team management technology and youth sports editorial content. NBC Sports Next is fueled by its mission to innovate, create larger-than-life events and connect with sports fans through technology to provide the ultimate in immersive experiences.
About United Golfers Association (UGA)
United Golfers Association (UGA) [Founded in 1925] is a 501C3 – non-profit organization that is committed to increasing the introduction, development and advancement of elite minority juniors, collegiate and professionals within the sport of golf. The UGA Developmental Golf Academy will provide these golfers with the resources and direction to cultivate their passion for the sport as competitors and professionals in the industry. The UGA Golf Academy is designed to prepare them mentally, physically and professionally to compete as Future Tour Players and Golf Professionals throughout the world.
About Jim Thorpe Invitational
The Jim Thorpe Invitational is offering an unprecedented opportunity to Elite Junior Minority Golfers, Collegiate Athletes, and Tour Professionals from across the US, Africa, and Caribbean to compete in this signature 36 Hole Tournament. Participants will compete in two rounds of high-level golf against the Greg Norman designed ChampionsGate Golf Courses in Orlando, Fl. This annual golf event in Orlando will attract up to 120 of our most talented junior and collegiate golf athletes, as well as the Top Ladies and Gentlemen who currently compete as Professional Tour Players to compete for a 30 Purse. This golf event was created to celebrate Jim Thorpe and create an event that will allow his supporters to participate and contribute to increasing the amount of minority golfers being introduced to the sport of golf and competing in events that will prepare them for either a career in golf on or off the fairways.
Dan Higgins
NBC Sports Next
Dan.Higgins@nbcuni.com
407-496-8107
