• Loading stock data...
Sunday, February 9, 2025

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

WM Phoenix Open Looks to Tame the Party After 2024 Chaos

The WM Phoenix Open has made several operational shifts this year.

FS1 Will Air the Most LIV Golf TV Hours in New Fox..

The 2025 LIV Golf season tees off Friday in Saudi Arabia.
Jun 16, 2024; Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA; Rory McIlroy pitches onto the eighteenth green during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament.

Rory McIlroy Suggests a Scarcity Model for Golf Like the NFL

Rory McIlroy wants the PGA Tour to have a more entertaining product.

Caitlin Clark Rejects 3-Point Contest, Heightening NBA All-Star Issues

Adam Silver said he’s still optimistic the showcase will improve this year.

Featured Today

Brady and Mahomes

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 1, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns power forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on during warm ups before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.

Rich Kleiman Says Kevin Durant Would ‘Potentially’ Play in New International League

Kleiman said a more relaxed schedule would benefit older players.
Jimmy Butler
February 5, 2025

Jimmy Butler Saga Ends With Trade to Warriors and $121 Million Contract

Two of the NBA’s longest-running plots were resolved Wednesday night.
Pete Alonso
February 5, 2025

Pete Alonso Finally Returns to Mets on $30 Million Pillow Contract

The slugger can be a free agent again next year.
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.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) hugs Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, during pregame warm-up at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
February 5, 2025

Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. Calls for Full-Time NFL Refs

Game officials have gotten a lot of heat for bad calls this season.
February 5, 2025

Why 21 of WNBA’s 24 All-Stars Will Be Free Agents Next Year

The WNBA players’ union opted out of the CBA in October.
February 4, 2025

Mark Cuban Says He Did Not Know About Luka Dončić Trade

Cuban sold a majority stake of the Mavericks n 2023.
February 4, 2025

Travis Kelce Shuts Down Retirement Talk: Eyes Records, Off-Field Success

The Chiefs star spoke about his future during the Super Bowl Opening Night event.