• Loading stock data...
Sunday, November 24, 2024

How Steph Curry Rebuilt Howard’s Golf Program

  • Steph Curry helped fund Howard University’s golf program with a seven-figure donation.
  • The move is part of an effort to bring more Black players into golf.
Howard University Athletics/Design: Alex Brooks

Steph Curry and a dedicated group of golfers, coaches, and executives are working to bring more diversity to a sport where an estimated 3% of recreational players are Black.

Curry, an avid golfer himself, made a seven-figure donation in 2019 to fund a men’s and women’s Division I golf program at Howard University, which is historically Black. The donation, which will be paid out over six years, supported a coaching hire, scholarships, and initial recruitment. The university will also receive equipment from Curry-affiliated Callaway Golf.

The idea came to Curry after speaking with a single student, Otis Ferguson IV, who is passionate about golf. 

“What I’ve done for Howard in trying to create an endowment there is special, and you can create a template that looks like that at other schools,” Curry said in a recent interview on the Beyond the Fairway podcast. 

“If you even looked at when I played in the match with Phil [Mickelson], Chuck [Barkley], and Peyton [Manning], that was five hours of national broadcast television that was all about HBCUs,” he added, referring to a charity match he played last November.

To diversify the sport in a sustainable way, golf will need to become more accessible on a number of levels.

“The game of golf in general, and just the business of golf, is obviously predicated on the middle-aged white man who has historically owned the game,” Curry told the Undefeated. “I think all around the country there is work being done … to make golf more affordable, more fun, more approachable.”

Initially slowed by the pandemic, Howard’s program is finally off and running. The team played its third match of the season on Sunday against Georgetown.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Rose Zhang congratulates her teammate Sahith Theegala after making his putt on the 9th green at the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.

TGL Considering Mixed Event, Women’s League Amid LPGA Talks

The new league from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy launches in January.

LPGA’s Richest Season Ever Set to Crown a Record-Breaker

The current record is $4,364,994 by Lorena Ochoa in 2007.

Adam Silver Defends NBA Product Amid Sluggish Ratings

Silver said the NBA compares itself to “the biggest brands in the world.”

2025 Ryder Cup Tickets Sell Out Despite Outcry Over $750 Price

Next year’s event will be played at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

How Conference Expansion Has Changed College Football

0:00

Featured Today

Can an Elite Women’s Soccer School Survive the New College Sports Moneyball?

Santa Clara faces an uphill battle in the new college sports landscape.
Nov 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates after defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs semifinal match at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit:
November 22, 2024

The Washington Spirit’s Business Makeover Carried Them to the Finals

The team’s return to the NWSL championship looks a lot different from 2021.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
November 21, 2024

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
May 27, 2024; Paris, France; Rafael Nadal of Spain waves goodbye after his match against Alexander Zverev of Germany on day two of Roland Garros at Stade Roland Garros.
November 19, 2024

Rafael Nadal Bids Farewell to Tennis at Davis Cup

Nadal surpassed the $135 million mark in career earnings.
Michele Kang
November 20, 2024

The Wealthy Booster Spending Millions to Turn U.S. Soccer European

Michele Kang says NWSL expansion requires more coaches and refs.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Nov 3, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked during an extra point attempt by Washington Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) during the second half at MetLife Stadium.
November 18, 2024

Giants Hit Rock Bottom, Demote QB Daniel Jones With $23 Million Injury..

Jones signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension in March 2023.
Bronny James
November 13, 2024

Bronny James Won’t Play G League Road Games

G League players travel on commercial airlines.
Despondent Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
November 12, 2024

The $23 Million Reason a Daniel Jones Benching Is Looming

Injury guarantees have come into play for several quarterbacks in recent years.
Nick Bosa
November 12, 2024

NFL Waited for Trump Win to Fine Nick Bosa for MAGA Hat

The league usually issues such fines quickly, but waited weeks for Bosa.