PGA WORKS Youth Day, Beyond the Green and Career Showcase events open doors for student-athletes and local youth at Whistling Straits
Editors: For photos courtesy of the PGA of America, click here.
KOHLER, Wisconsin – Before the 38th PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, presented by Chase and Kohler Co., kicked off on Monday at Whistling Straits, the competitors and local students were treated to a series of career-exploration events conducted by PGA WORKS, a strategic initiative within the PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The initiative is committed to shape the next generation of leaders in the golf industry and beyond through fellowships, scholarships and career events.
The Championship, founded in 1986, seeks to do more than provide a competitive championship experience at elite facilities by opening doors to career opportunities in and around the $102 billion golf industry for participating student-athletes.
“On behalf of the PGA of America, we’re so excited to host the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship alongside the Kohlers at the beautiful Whistling Straits,” said PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague, PGA, to the 180 student-athletes at a Welcome Celebration. “This is a pivotal time in your lives, whether you’re getting ready to declare a major or about to graduate, there are so many opportunities in this industry, not just on the golf course, but also off the golf course. We hope you will join us in the golf industry and help leave this game in a better place.”
Before competition began Monday, three PGA WORKS events took place over the weekend:
PGA WORKS Career Showcase & Welcome Celebration
On the eve of the opening round, PWCC student-athletes networked with industry professionals and explored job opportunities from Kohler, Chase, Golftec, the United States Golf Association, LPGA, PXG, the Milwaukee Bucks and others.
“It means a lot to me that PGA WORKS provides this opportunity and invests in college students like myself,” said Kennedi Lee, graduate student from Texas Southern University competing in her third PWCC. “It allows us student-athletes to take advantage of this opportunity, elevate our professional development and find a career in the adult world.”
Additionally, PGA of America Career Services provided information on how to become a PGA of America Golf Professional, joining the more than 30,000 who work daily to grow interest and participation in the game.
In 2024, 119 student-athletes passed the PGA of America’s Playing Ability Test through their PWCC scores, one of the first steps to becoming a PGA of America Golf Professional. PWCC participants will have the same opportunity this week.
Participants in The Welcome Celebration heard live remarks from Sprague and David Kohler, CEO of Kohler Co., as well as surprise taped messages from 44th U.S. President Barack Obama and Super Bowl champion Eli Manning. To close the evening, a panel featuring PGA of America Golf Professional Mark Nance, one of the founders of the championship, former PGA WORKS Fellow Taylor Harvey and golf broadcaster and event emcee Doug Smith showcased the impact the championship has had on their lives.
PGA WORKS Beyond the Green
Sunday morning, local high schoolers representing Milwaukee organizations MKE Fellows and Pearls for Teen Girls got an inside glimpse at the meaningful careers surrounding golf through PGA WORKS Beyond the Green, a career exploration event.
In partnership with Kohler, local students toured the Kohler Design Center, participated in interactive sessions surrounding health and goal setting and learned from a panel including Corinne Milien, Founder of LetsDoWR, and Mike O’Reilly, PGA, General Manager of Whistling Straits & Blackwolf Run.
That was followed by an introductory golf clinic at Blackwolf Run, conducted by PGA of America Golf Professionals.
PGA WORKS Youth Day
On Saturday at Whistling Straits, local youth ages 8-14 from five local community organizations—including the First Tee of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Golf Academy, La Causa, Heart Love Place and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee—participated in PGA WORKS Youth Day, learning the basics of the game from expert PGA of America Golf Professionals, as well as career opportunities from PGA of America Career Consultants.
“It’s important to introduce as many kids as we can each year at the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship,” said PGA WORKS Ambassador Mackenzie Mack, PGA, the Director of HR and Community Engagement for Topgolf Callaway Brands. “The earlier we can get them interested in golf and teach the opportunities that the game offers, the sooner we can change the trajectory of their life.”
As of Monday, the 38th PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship is underway. Championship rounds contested at the Straits course will be broadcast live on Golf Channel through Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm ET. Click here for scoring.
For more information on the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, visit www.PGAWORKSCollegiate.org.
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 diverse populations 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 of America, 801-995-0684, jdodson@pgahq.com
