Youth Day and PGA WORKS Beyond the Green Kick-Off PWCC to shape future leaders
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., — The PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, presented by Chase and Kohler Co., provides more than a high-level championship experience for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Universities and other minority-serving institutions. Annually, the Championship introduces local youth to the game and connects collegiate athletes to industry leaders and career pathways in and around the $102 Billion golf industry.
The Park in West Palm Beach is hosting the 39th PWCC for the first time this week and started the Championship’s festivities by hosting Youth Day for local youth to learn the basic fundamentals of the game.
Community organizations participating included The Path, Adopt-A-Family, PGA Jr. League and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. Participants learned from PGA of America Golf Professionals across the country who serve as ambassadors for the Championship. They also enjoyed a clinic from Korn Ferry Tour Member Ian Gilligan.
“It’s impactful, getting to see the kids, the next generation of golfers,” said Langston Frazier, PGA, a two-time PWCC participant now serving as a PGA Ambassador for the Championship. “There’s so many sports these kids can play, but golf is something they can play for a lifetime. It’s a great opportunity to expose them to the game. They can learn so many positive character traits from golf.”
For decades the Championship has also emphasized rewarding career opportunities that coincide with golf, the 39th edition was no different, hosting student-athletes at the PGA WORKS Beyond the Green presented by CastleOak Securities and Kohler Co. at SoFi Center, the official home to the TGL Golf League.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MAY 03: A posed photo of attendees at the PWCC Beyond the Green & Welcome Celebration during the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship at SoFi Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Ryan Lochhead/PGA of America)
PWCC student-athletes networked with a lineup of national and global organizations looking to recruit the next generation of industry professionals, including PGA of America Career Services, Chase, Kohler Co., Troon, the United States Golf Association, Ladies Professional Golf Association, PGA Tour SuperStore and more.
For students like Joseph Fenceroy, a junior at Coastal Carolina University’s PGA Professional Golf Management Program, an event like Beyond the Green is instrumental.
“At this stage in my life, connecting with so many companies and professionals through Beyond the Green really opened my eyes to the opportunities ahead,” said Fenceroy. “It’s encouraging to build those relationships early and see how the PGA network supports my growth both personally and professionally.”
Sunday evening’s Welcome Reception also allowed student-athletes to compete in SoFi Center’s TGL venue, hear from industry leaders Phil Anderson, PGA of America Chief Operating Officer; Nina Kohler, Chair of the PGA of America REACH Foundation; David Jones, CEO and Co-Founder at CastleOak Securities and actor and comedian Anthony Anderson.
“Do not limit your vision,” said Phil Anderson. “Yes, you’re a golfer, but you’re also a future executive, a future entrepreneur, a future course designer, a future PGA Professional. You’re here to be in the golf industry and we look forward to that. We need your perspective.”
The first round of the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship is underway, live scoring can be viewed HERE. The Championship is broadcast on Golf Channel from 4-7 p.m. EST.
For more information, visit pgaworkscollegiate.org.
About PGA WORKS
PGA WORKS is a strategic initiative designed to broaden the golf industry’s workforce and beyond. Funded by the PGA of America REACH Foundation, 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/PGAWORKS, follow @PGAWORKS on X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
About PGA of America REACH Foundation
The PGA of America REACH Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of the Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and underserved communities by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on the PGA of America REACH Foundation, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Instagram, X and find us on Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Jesse Dodson, PGA – PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com
Jared Minski – Mastro Communications, jared@mastrocomm.com
